- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Family history of kidney disease
- Age over 50
- People of African, Hispanic, Aboriginal, Asian origin
The kidneys are amazing bean shaped organs located at the back just above the waist line.They perform amazing functions 24/7 that include the control of salt and water and indirectly our blood pressure. They function to control the acid levels, minerals and also excrete poisonous chemicals that are generated within our body. They also play a role in the formation of red blood cells and regulation of bone health.Like any other organ in the body, the kidneys may get damaged. Presence of protein and blood in urine as well as rise of blood creatinine or imaging abnormalities such as polycystic kidneys, are makers of kidney damage. Chronic kidney damage(CKD) is said to occur when makers of kidney damage persist for three or more months.Globally CKD prevalence is galloping at pandemic rate. It is estimated that 1 out of 10 people has CKD. This means that more than 500 million people worldwide have the disease. CKD prevalence also increases with age. 1 out 5 men between 65 and 74 years of age has CKD. The prevalence in women of similar age group is estimated at 1 out of 4. Fifty percent of individuals above 75 have one form of CKD or the other. CKD is associated with increased risk of death due mainly to cardiovascular deaths. It is also a risk factor for development of end stage kidney disease (ESKD).Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and aging population are the major drivers of CKD. Prevalence of Diabetes is as high as 25% of Mexicans aged 25-40 years, whereas diabetic kidney disease account for 65% of ESKD in Puerto Rico(WHO- World Health Organization). Data from the Caribbean Renal registry indicates that 60% of patients with ESKD have diabetes and hypertension. Our local trend is similar with 52% of patients receiving dialysis at George Town Hospital having Diabetes. WHO estimates that by the year 2030, 366 million adults worldwide will have diabetes with majority of them living in low and middle income countries.Early stages of CKD are without symptoms. One may loose more than 90% of his or her kidney function before symptoms develop. CKD is therefore a silent killer. Early diagnosis of CKD offers us a chance for early treatment which may help reverse the disease or slow the progression to ESKD.ESKD is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In addition, treatment of CKD in the form of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is costly and not available in most countries. WHO estimates that 80% of 1.4 million people receiving RRT live in North America, Europe, Australasia and Japan. By contrast less than 10% of Indian ESKD patients receive RRT while up to 70% of those starting dialysis die or stop within 3 months due to cost. In Africa most patients with ESKD die due to lack of access to RRT. We are lucky here as most patients with ESKD have access to high quality RRT.It is in a bid to change this ugly trend of CKD, that World Kidney Day was launched in 2006 by a joint effort of International Federation of Kidney Foundations and International Society of Nephrology.The mission is to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys in health and the sad implications of CKD. At global and national levels, the aim is to encourage clinicians to screen patients for CKD and apply intervention when indicated. It is also encourages policy makers to adopt policies that will encourage healthy living at community level to reduce the prevalence of hypertension, obesity and diabetes.It also strives to educate and empower individuals to take responsibility of their kidney health.Anyone with the following risk factors should speak with his or her doctor to get screened for CKD: