Stewart, J.McCredie, M.McDonald, S.2006-06-262006-06-262004Nephrology, 2004; 9(4):247-2521320-53581440-1797http://hdl.handle.net/2440/9962<h4>Background</h4>Barriers to immigration from non-European sources were relaxed in the 1970s. As a result, more Australians are now of Middle Eastern, Asian or Pacific Islander origin, rather than British or European. Currently, overseas-born persons comprise one-third of non-indigenous Australians with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).<h4>Methods</h4>Using data recorded by the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry, age-standardized incidence rates were calculated for ESRD due to all causes and to certain primary renal diseases for all non-indigenous Australians who were aged over 15 years when first treated for ESRD between 1993 and 2001. Truncated age-standardized incidence rates were calculated for ESRD due to glomerulonephritis by type.<h4>Results</h4>Immigrants from the British Isles and 'rest of Europe' had less, and those from the Pacific Island nations, East/South-East Asia, Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Southern Europe more ESRD from all causes than the Australian-born. Two diseases accounted for most of the excess: Type 2 diabetic nephropathy and glomerulonephritis (the latter not significant for the Indian-born). There was a small excess (not always significant) of hypertensive/arteriopathic renal disease in Asian- and Middle Eastern-born persons. The East/South-East Asian-born had the highest rates of ESRD due to mesangial immunoglobulin A (IgA) disease and lupus nephritis, and the Middle Eastern-born the highest rates from focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis.<h4>Conclusion</h4>For Australians born in the Pacific Island nations, Asia, the Middle East or Southern Europe, excess prevalence of, and/or susceptibility to, diseases that cause ESRD has more than offset any 'healthy migrant' effect.enHumansDiabetic NephropathiesKidney Failure, ChronicGlomerulonephritisIncidenceEmigration and ImmigrationAdultAgedMiddle AgedAustraliaFemaleMaleEthnicityJournal article002004121410.1111/j.1440-1797.2004.00258.x0002237482000112-s2.0-484422967456471McDonald, S. [0000-0001-6103-1386]