CKD, the disease that has grown the most after Alzheimer’s and that takes a long time to show symptoms?

Patients with diabetes or heart failure are at increased risk of kidney disease, which by 2040 will become one of the top five causes of death in the world

He world kidney day was created by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) in 2006. The objective, as could not be another, was to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of any kidney disease, in order to be able to treat it and avoid its progression and potential complications.

In Spain, one in seven adults lives with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It is the second disease whose mortality and disability increased the most between 2006 and 2016, after the alzheimer.

However, specialists warn that two out of three patients do not know that they have it because it is a silent disease, which does not present any type of symptomatology until the disease is very advanced.

This is how he explains it to this newspaper Pilar PasaronGovernment Affairs Head for AstraZeneca Spain, during the launch of the campaign that carries the motto Early diagnosis comes from you.

• “It is not diagnosed until it is in a very advanced stage. CKD is associated with high mortality. And it is that, 30% of these patients die from some kidney disease & rdquor ;.

In this sense, Daniel Gallegopresident of the ALCER National Federation, remarks that:

• “It is essential to raise awareness of the importance of the kidneys because kidney disease is largely unknown to the general population& rdquor ;.

Therefore, it is essential to perform reviews regularly, especially after the age of 50. In these cases, they should also include urine analysis, since it is closely related to age. As we get older, kidney capacity decreases.

However, we must not forget healthy habits, a good diet and physical exercise, as well as avoiding tobacco and alcohol.

CKD constitutes, by itself, a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as well as arterial hypertension (AHT), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), obesity, tobacco and others.

There is so much relationship between Chronic Kidney Disease and heart failure and diabetesthat the presence of one of them promotes the development of the other.

Type 2 diabetes and CKD: why are diabetics more at risk?

The type 2 diabetesa disease that It usually appears after the age of 45 and affects about 6 million Spaniards.is the main cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It is related to high blood glucose levels and lack of adherence to treatment (medication intake, dietary monitoring and physical activity).

According to data handled by the Spanish Diabetes Federation (FEDE), 15% of patients with type 2 diabetes will develop a kidney-related complication throughout their lives, which is known as diabetic kidney disease.

• “Can prevent with routine reviews (every six months or once a year, depending on each case) for early detection and diabetes education, that is, all the necessary tools for good control of the disease, ranging from diet, sports, functioning of blood glucose meters and how medications are administered& rdquor ;, explains Mercedes MaderueloFEDE manager.

Patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency are a group at higher risk, since they may present more morbidity and mortality and more episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) and cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of ending up needing a transplant.

And in addition to being associated with a decreased quality of life, it also increases the chances of suffering from other diseases such as

• infections
• Cancer
• Early death.

This sickness affects most body functionsbut it is very likely that it will not produce any type of symptom for a long time.

And when it is detected, the stage of the disease is usually very advanced, which entails more aggressive treatments and a loss of quality of life for the patient and their families.

Once the disease has advanced, patients can present a very diverse symptomatology:

• Arterial hypertension
• Lack of appetite
• feeling short of breath
• itching
• Fatigue.

Although the clinical situation is stable, dialysis is one of the treatments that should be started when renal function is between 8-12%.

But, as Maderuelo points out, it is “one of the most limiting and disabling factors & rdquor;, because people have to abandon their lives, and even stop working, in addition to the “harsh psychological impact & rdquor; what it means for patients.

Hence the importance of early diagnosis and a comprehensive approach. And it is that, once ten years have passed since the diagnosis of diabetes, the reviews should be increased to avoid possible complications of the disease.

Heart failure: another risk factor for CKD

There is a direct relationship between kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Cecilia Salvadorrepresentative of Cardioalianza points out that suffering from these two pathologies “worsens our prognosis& rdquor ;.

This patient advocates “early screening campaigns to contribute to the early detection of these diseases and, consequently, reduce the burden of complications& rdquor ;.