The incidence of patients with end-stage renal disease entering hemodialysis has not changed between 1990 and 1999, and the proportion of diabetic patients has remained the same. However, the patients' age at entering hemodialysis has increased significantly between 1990 and 1999. As the documentation in the patients' records was unsatisfactory with regard to diabetes history and causes for dialysis, the results of the present study need to be interpreted with caution.