Need for a Jordanian National Registry of Chronic Renal Disease 1. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist, Department of Pediatrics, Jordan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Jordan. 2. MD, FACP, FASN, Professor of Medicine, Jordan Hospital, Amman, Jordan. * Correspondence should be addressed to: Kamal F. Akl P. O. Box: 831373, Amman 11183, Jordan E-mail: kachbl@yahoo.com © 2010 DAR Publishers/ University of Jordan. All Rights Reserved. Kamal F. Akl, * 1 Riyad Said 2 Abstract Objective: There is sparse information on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in developing countries which harbor the vast majority of the population with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Data for children are inaccurate, with frequent underreporting of CKD. Methods: With the escalating incidence of chronic kidney disease, it becomes obvious that there is a need for a Jordanian National Renal Registry (JNRR). This should be accomplished by the Ministry of Health, after establishing a national kidney foundation. Conclusion: The Jordanian Society of Nephrology should be actively involved. The Registry should have representatives from the universities, government, armed forces, and private sectors. The registry should be considered as a national treasure. Keywords: Jordanian National Renal Registry (JNRR), Chronic Kidney Disease, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). (J Med J 2010; Vol. 44 (4):437-441) Received Accepted January 12, 2010 April 11, 2010 Introduction Any systematic accumulation of data for the aim of planning, implementation, and evaluation of health care in a defined population is termed as a health care database. 1 There are two types of health database. The first is patient registries such as the Australian/ New Zealand and Malaysian renal registries. 2, 3 These organized systems use observational study methods for data collection. The second type of health database is disease registries. These collected data are continuously and systematically applied in a defined population. The role of a disease registry is to evaluate and control a disease in the community. Examples are the National Cancer Registries. 4 Background A World Kidney Day has been dedicated 5 to the worldwide epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) especially in adults. 6 CKD is on the agenda for Healthy People 2010. 7 The increased incidence is mainly due to type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and hypertension in adults. There is sparse information on CKD in developing countries which harbor the vast majority of the population with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 8, 9 Data for children are inaccurate, with frequent underreporting of CKD. 10- 16 In most developing countries, information on CKD patients comes from tertiary care hospitals and dialysis units. Data regarding the etiology, progression, and outcome of CKD is still sparse.