Diabetes mellitus: the leading cause of haemodialysis in Jordan

This study aimed to define the role of diabetes mellitus as a cause of end-stage renal disease requiring haemodialysis in Jordan, and to compare diabetic and nondiabetic patients. All patients on haemodialysis in Jordan at the time of the survey in 2003 (n =1711) were personally interviewed and additional data were obtained from medical records. Diabetes mellitus was the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (29.2% of cases). The mean age of patients was higher in diabetics [57.5 years, standard deviation (SD) 12.3] than nondiabetics (45.4 years, SD 17.1). Duration on haemodialysis was significantly shorter in diabetics compared to nondiabetic patients.