Associate Professor Shahid Ullah1, Ms Katie Cundale1, Associate Professor Karla J Canuto2, Professor Jaquelyne T Hughes2
1Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia, 2Flinders University, Rural and Remote Health, Darwin, Australia
Biography:
Associate Professor Shahid Ullah is a biostatistician with expertise in clinical epidemiology and data analysis for chronic disease research.
Associate Professor Karla Canuto is a Torres Strait Islander (Kulkalgal) researcher leading work in chronic disease prevention and health equity.
Professor Jaquelyne Hughes is a Torres Strait Islander (Wagadagam) nephrologist and Clinical Research Professor at Flinders University, advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kidney health through community-led research and policy reform.
Aim.
To analyse the incidence of kidney failure among Torres Strait Islander people in Australia between 2004 and 2022.
Background:
In 2024, we reported 499 Torres Strait Islander adults started dialysis since 1973, of whom 93% received kidney replacement therapy (KRT) within Queensland. This was the first ANZDATA analysis specific to Torres Strait Islander people. In response, Maluilgal Elders and families requested confirmation of national and Torres Strait Islander-specific incidence rates to give perspective to their lived experience.
Methods:
Data was obtained from the ANZDATA Registry for all adults (≥18 years) who commenced KRT in Australia between 1963-2022. Incidence analysis was restricted to 2004-2022 due to the availability of Indigenous status-specific Census data. Patients were grouped into four 5-year intervals, with incidence rates (per 1000 persons) calculated using mid-year Census population estimates, and stratified for age and gender.
Results:
Between 2004-2022, 374 Torres Strait Islander people commenced KRT in Australia, increasing from 79 (2004–2008) to 127 (2019–2022). National incidence rates per 1000 persons were consistently higher for Torres Strait Islander people (2.2-2.7) compared to a consistent rate of 0.1 for non-Torres Strait Islander people. Age-stratified analysis showed a marked increase among those aged 55+ in the most recent decade. In combined age-sex analysis, older Torres Strait Islander females had the highest incidence of KRT commencement.
Conclusions:
These findings confirm community experience and highlight the need for targeted strategies to restore kidney health among Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. Given the high incidence, the disproportionate impact on older women, and the concentration of care in Queensland, a Torres Strait Islander-specific, gender-informed kidney health equity policy—particularly for Queensland—is urgently needed.
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