CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE is more common than you think and can creep up on you over time. Certain other conditions can predispose you to CKD, and it is seen more often with increasing age. However, CKD can be found in younger adults and early detection and management is important.
An estimated 10% of Australian adults aged 18 years and over have indicators of probable chronic kidney disease. Approximately 11% of Australian deaths in 2020 were attributed to CKD, either as an underlying or associated cause of death. The early detection, diagnosis and management for patients with chronic kidney disease is important to reduce those number of deaths.
For patients of FLOREAT MEDICAL we encourage you to discuss any concerns you may have with your GP. Your doctor will often have reviewed your kidney function through blood tests they have ordered for you. You may not have any symptoms at all, but a kidney check can be discussed at any routine visit.
A screening assessment by your GP is easy and includes a blood test for renal function which looks at your eGFR (glomerular filtration rate), a urine test for albumin/creatinine ratio and a blood pressure check. These 3 components complete a simple Kidney Health Check.
A diagnosis of CKD is confirmed if there is a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for 3 or more months and/or an elevated albumin-creatinine ration (ACR) in the urine over 3 or more months. Your doctor will decide how often you need to be tested to manage and monitor your kidney health
After confirming a diagnosis of CKD your GP may suggest further investigations to help determine the underlying cause.
Timely management reduces both the risk of kidney failure and any associated cardiovascular condition which may result from kidney failure.
What causes CKD in Australian adults?
Below is a pie chart that illustrates the causes of CKD among all Australian adults older than 18 years with kidney failure.
The causes are:
38% diabetes,
27% “other”,
12% hypertension,
18% glomerulonephritis,
5% polycystic kidney disease.
If you have already been diagnosed with one of these conditions, your doctor at FLOREAT MEDICAL will already be monitoring your kidney function. Talk to them about how you are going. Good control of your blood pressure into the normal range, good diabetes control and as always, a healthy lifestyle is important.
The above graphics are credited to National Prescribing Service MedicineWise and have been sourced from the NPS website: https://www.nps.org.au/accessible-figures-mwn-ckd-integrating-kidney-health