On the other hand, the influence of successful Schistosomiasis control programs is yet to be seen in the next decade or so. It is hoped that other major steps in the prevention of renal disease be made during the early decades of next century. These include mass control of diabetes, hypertension, renal stones and streptococcal infection, suppression of environmental pollution and restraints of inadvertent use of medications. Registry for the prevalence of renal disease and causes of renal failure has just started during 1997. Questionnaires were sent to all dialysis units.
Success depends upon cooperation and response of dialysis centers all over Egypt.
The past few decades have witnessed a considerable change in the pattern of chronic renal disease in this country. This trend is expected to spell over the early years of next century, unless adequate preventive measures are taken. One of the major issues is the apparently increasing incidence of chronic interstitial nephritis of unknown etiology. Many experimental models and some observations in humans suggest that such lesions may be related to chemical intoxication, which include drugs, industrial poisons and environmental pollution. We are rapidly approaching the western figures, where almost half of the patients on dialysis are diabetic.