Global Dialysis Perspective: Guatemala

Dialysis Care around the World: A Global Perspectives Series

“…This policy has been extremely successful, with 59% of dialysis patients utilizing this modality, resulting in substantial healthcare savings 19 . A similar policy in Guatemala has resulted in 45% of dialysis patients being treated with peritoneal dialysis 7 . Most recently, Thailand introduced a "peritoneal dialysis first" policy in 2007 12 .…”

“…Despite universal insurance coverage in Brazil, access to healthcare is more limited in the northern region due to reduced health services in more rural areas. Another example is in Guatemala, where the majority of patients with end stage kidney disease are located near Guatemala City 7 . The prevalence is markedly lower in rural highland areas with predominantly indigenous populations 7 .…”

“…The Kidney360 Global Dialysis Perspective series launched in 2020 and showcases how dialysis is practiced, delivered, and financed in different countries across the world. To date, we have featured perspectives from 17 countries in 6 continents: Africa (Senegal, South Africa); Asia (India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam); Australia; Europe (Spain); North America (Canada, Mexico, United States); and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala) [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] . Authors of each global perspective were asked to report standard information about their dialysis populations, including general characteristics of the dialysis system and its treatments such as percentage of patients by dialysis modality; dialysis unit financing (for profit vs. non-profit); reimbursement (public or private insurance, or self-pay); unit location (hospital vs. free standing); staffing (proportion of nurses vs. patient care technicians and nurse to patient ratios); hemodialysis frequency and session length; and frequency of nephrologist visits.…”

Population Estimates of GFR and Risk Factors for CKD in Guatemala

“…In addition, access to evidencebased preventive strategies, early diagnosis, treatment to prevent disease progression, and renal replacement therapy are extremely limited, leading to higher disease morbidity and mortality. [1][2][3][4][5][6] In addition to traditional CKD, CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu) has also been rising in Central America. [7][8][9][10] First noted in a case series in El Salvador in 2002, CKDu is not associated with diabetes and hypertension and has been described mainly in young males and agricultural (especially sugar cane) workers.…”

“…In addition, access to evidence-based preventive strategies, early diagnosis, treatment to prevent disease progression, and renal replacement therapy are extremely limited, leading to higher disease morbidity and mortality. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 …”