Abstract
The long-lasting history of Czech (Czechoslovak) nephrology started in the early 1950s. The first successful hemodialysis was performed in Prague as early as 1955.
These beginnings were connected with Jan Brod, one of the pioneers of not only the Czechoslovak but also world nephrology. The publicly funded system provides no-fee and universal healthcare for all people within the national territory, including renal replacement therapy, covering both renal dialysis and kidney transplantation.
With a population of 10.6 million, 1151 patients per million population (pmp) are on renal replacement therapy, 659 pmp out of them on dialysis and 492 pmp living with kidney transplant. Approximately 70% of the patients are treated with high-volume online hemodiafiltration, 7% undergo peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis takes 1% of the share, and the prevalence of diabetic patients reaches about 46%.
Annually, around 500 renal transplantations are performed. Currently, 115 hemodialysis units and 7 transplant centers operate in the country.
The most common primary renal diseases leading to renal replacement therapy are diabetes and ischemic nephropathy. Around 600 renal biopsies are performed yearly.
The most common primary glomerulonephritis is IgA nephropathy, followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranous glomerulonephritis. The number of certified nephrologists is 18.9 pmp and dialysis nurses 127.1 pmp.