11th March World Kidney Day

11th March World Kidney Day

Kidney diseases are Treatable

Detection: Kidney disease can be detected early. Simple laboratory tests are done on small samples of blood (to measure creatinine content and estimate GFR) and on urine (to measure creatinine and albumin excretion). The majority of individuals with early stages of CKD (chronic kidney disease) go undiagnosed, particularly in the developing world. The early detection of kidney impairment is essential and allows suitable treatment before kidney damage or cardiovascular problems occur.

Screening: Screening must be a priority for those people considered to be at high risk of kidney disease, namely:

Patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension


Individuals who are obese or smoke


Individuals over 50 years of age


Individuals with a family history of kidney disease, diabetes mellitus or hypertension
Current kidney protective treatments should now be extended to those with early stages of CKD.

Key preventative measures have been defined and proven successful in protecting against both renal and cardiovascular disease, such as:

Reduction of high blood pressure: the lower the blood pressure, the slower the GFR decline


Specific medications to reduce proteinuria as well as lower blood pressure – ACE inhibitors/ARBs


Reduce salt intake to lower blood pressure


Control of glucose, blood lipids and anemia


Smoking cessation


Increased physical activity


Control of body weight


Treatment: Clinical research over the last decade has shown the potential benefit of blockade of the renin–angiotensin system by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to significantly reduce the burden of disease from cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, hypertension and CKD at relatively low cost