Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive loss of kidney function over a period of months to years. Normal kidney function results in the removal of wastes and excess water from the blood as well as production of necessary hormones such as erythropoetin. The kidneys are also responsible for regulating various minerals such as calcium, sodium and potassium.1 There are 5 stages of CKD, with the most severe stage (end-stage renal disease) leading to non-functioning kidneys and resultant dialysis or transplant.1 |
Causes
Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of CKD accounting for two-thirds of cases.2 A small portion of patients develop CKD due to inherited diseases, obstructions, malformations and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney tubules). 1
CKD affects normal body systems due to waste and water build up.1 It affects blood pressure, red blood cell production and bone metabolism.
Incidence
"An estimated 2.6 million Canadians have kidney disease, or are at risk." 3
"On average 16 people will be told their kidneys have failed on a daily basis."3
"The number of Canadians being treated for kidney failure has tripled over the past 20 years". 3
"53% of new renal failure patients are 65 years of age or older."3
"Among the 39,352 people being treated for kidney failure in Canada in 2010:" 3
"59% (23,188) were on dialysis" 3
"41% (16,164) had a functioning transplant." 3
Risk Factors
CKD progresses very slowly and often goes undetected until overt symptoms occur. It is important that high risk individuals have their kidney function tested on a regular basis. These individuals include individuals with diabetes, hypertension or a family history of hereditary CKD.1
People of Aboriginal, Asian, south Asian, Pacific Island, African/Caribbean and Hispanic origin are at an increased risk of CKD and should have routine blood tests measuring their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).4
Kidney disease may occur in anyone. It is imperative to have your kidney function checked if you are over the age of 50 years old.4 Recently it was estimated that as many as two million Canadians have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or are at risk for it, unfortunately most are unaware of it. 5
Prevention
It is important to treat the condition causing the CKD, whether it is diabetes or hypertension.
By controlling blood pressure the progression of kidney damage will slow down.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are
commonly used to protect the kidney as well as control blood pressure.1
Blood pressure goal should be at or below 130/80 mmHg.1
By controlling blood sugar the progression of kidney damage will slow down.
Metformin should not be administered to patients with a CrCl < 30 mL/min. 1
Glicazide MR is the safest sulfonylurea to lower blood sugar. 1
Blood sugar goals should be fasting blood sugar 4-7 mmol/L, post-prandial blood sugar 5-10
mmol/L and A1C < 7%. 1
Other tips for preventing kidney disease are: 1
Do not smoke
Eat low fat and low cholesterol meals
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
Avoid eating too much salt or potassium
Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of CKD accounting for two-thirds of cases.2 A small portion of patients develop CKD due to inherited diseases, obstructions, malformations and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney tubules). 1
CKD affects normal body systems due to waste and water build up.1 It affects blood pressure, red blood cell production and bone metabolism.
Incidence
"An estimated 2.6 million Canadians have kidney disease, or are at risk." 3
"On average 16 people will be told their kidneys have failed on a daily basis."3
"The number of Canadians being treated for kidney failure has tripled over the past 20 years". 3
"53% of new renal failure patients are 65 years of age or older."3
"Among the 39,352 people being treated for kidney failure in Canada in 2010:" 3
"59% (23,188) were on dialysis" 3
"41% (16,164) had a functioning transplant." 3
Risk Factors
CKD progresses very slowly and often goes undetected until overt symptoms occur. It is important that high risk individuals have their kidney function tested on a regular basis. These individuals include individuals with diabetes, hypertension or a family history of hereditary CKD.1
People of Aboriginal, Asian, south Asian, Pacific Island, African/Caribbean and Hispanic origin are at an increased risk of CKD and should have routine blood tests measuring their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).4
Kidney disease may occur in anyone. It is imperative to have your kidney function checked if you are over the age of 50 years old.4 Recently it was estimated that as many as two million Canadians have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or are at risk for it, unfortunately most are unaware of it. 5
Prevention
It is important to treat the condition causing the CKD, whether it is diabetes or hypertension.
By controlling blood pressure the progression of kidney damage will slow down.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are
commonly used to protect the kidney as well as control blood pressure.1
Blood pressure goal should be at or below 130/80 mmHg.1
By controlling blood sugar the progression of kidney damage will slow down.
Metformin should not be administered to patients with a CrCl < 30 mL/min. 1
Glicazide MR is the safest sulfonylurea to lower blood sugar. 1
Blood sugar goals should be fasting blood sugar 4-7 mmol/L, post-prandial blood sugar 5-10
mmol/L and A1C < 7%. 1
Other tips for preventing kidney disease are: 1
Do not smoke
Eat low fat and low cholesterol meals
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
Avoid eating too much salt or potassium
References
1. Herbert L. Chronic Kidney Disease. September 2011. Web. 04 Jan 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001503/ >
2. The National Kidney Foundation. 2013. Web. 04 Jan 2013. <http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/aboutckd.cfm>
3. The National Kidney Foundation. Facing the Facts. 2010. Web 04 Jan 2013. < http://www.kidney.ca/document.doc?id=1376 >
4. The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Risk Factors. 2012. Web. 06 Jan 2013
< http://www.kidney.ca/page.aspx?pid=333 >
5. The Kidney Foundation of Canada. A brush of hope. 2013. Web. 11 Jan 2013.< http://www.kidney.ca >
1. Herbert L. Chronic Kidney Disease. September 2011. Web. 04 Jan 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001503/ >
2. The National Kidney Foundation. 2013. Web. 04 Jan 2013. <http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/aboutckd.cfm>
3. The National Kidney Foundation. Facing the Facts. 2010. Web 04 Jan 2013. < http://www.kidney.ca/document.doc?id=1376 >
4. The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Risk Factors. 2012. Web. 06 Jan 2013
< http://www.kidney.ca/page.aspx?pid=333 >
5. The Kidney Foundation of Canada. A brush of hope. 2013. Web. 11 Jan 2013.< http://www.kidney.ca >