Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients Urged to Ask Doctors for Simple Test On Silent Killer

Kidney Health Australia has urged people at an increased risk of kidney disease (those over 50 years, all diabetics and those known to have high blood pressure to visit their local GP to request a simple test to check the health of their kidneys.

The call follows the release of a study by Dr Ruth Webster of the George Institute yesterday which revealed that patients at a high absolute risk of a cardiovascular event were found to be substantially undertreated. All people with moderate or severe chronic kidney disease are considered to be in the high risk group.

Dr Tim Mathew Medical Director Of Kidney Health Australia said ,"Chronic Kidney Disease CKD has been identified as a silent but deadly multiplier of other major chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancer and the report clearly shows it is important for patients to take the initiative. "

"Patients with CKD have a greatly increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke." "More importantly CKD is known as the silent killer with people losing up to 90% of the use of their kidneys without even knowing it, only to face dialysis treatment within weeks of being diagnosed."

Dr Mathew said ," Whilst it is vital to look after current and future dialysis patients government need to focus on reducing the number of people needing dialysis through targeted early detection of chronic kidney disease, education and management of the disease .

Adult Australians are at risk of CKD if they:

* Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
* Have diabetes
* Smoke cigarettes
* Are obese
* Have a family history of chronic kidney disease
* Are over 50 years of age
* Are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent

WHO IS AT MORE RISK OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

* High blood pressure affects 1 in 4 Australians (50% do not have blood pressure managed to target levels)
* Diabetes affects 7.6% of Australians aged over 25 years (50% of whom are undiagnosed)
* 19.5% of Australians aged over 14 years smoke daily
* 2.6 million adult Australians aged over 25 years are obese