Prognosis curves for patients with polycystic kidney disease.

In patients with polycystic kidney disease and in many patients with other chronic renal diseases kidney function decreases from year to year. When the increase in serum creatinine concentration is followed graphically, the time for dialysis/transplantation can be predicted long beforehand. Based on the course of azotaemia in 34 patients with polycystic disease prognosis curves have been prepared. By comparing the course of a patient with the average course of similar patients, additional information can be gained. A statistical method for making a prognosis curve for kidney function in end-stage polycystic renal disease is described.