Chronic kidney disease is a progressive, non-communicable condition that is estimated to affect more than 840 million people worldwide [1], and is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040[2]. Nearly 100 million Europeans are affected by it [2].
Because it often lacks symptoms until advanced stages, CKD is significantly under-diagnosed and most commonly identified at an advanced stage[3]. If diagnosed too late or left untreated CKD can progress to kidney failure, where dialysis and kidney transplants are needed[4], which are highly invasive and debilitating for patients – and incur significant costs to healthcare systems[5][6].
In this video, Professor Raymond Vanholder, President of the European Kidney Health Alliance, explains the risks that Europe faces without taking bolder action by highlighting the need for earlier detection of CKD. Clinically, the number of people with CKD will continue to rise as a result of factors including ageing populations[2][7] and the rising prevalence of commorbidities like diabetes, hypertension and obesity[3].
Watch the video below
“Europe is not acting fast enoughâ€, Professor Vanholder warns. “The region’s healthcare priorities cover many conditions that lead to CKD, but not CKD itselfâ€. Stakeholders need to take bolder steps, especially by investing in early screening to detect CKD much earlier. Such efforts should focus in particular on screening of at-risk groups including older people [2][7] , and people living with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer [2][3] .
CKD needs to be better recognized as a public health priority, and policymakers, together with the support of health care professionals, the patient community, and industry, must take action to address the issue much earlier.
Professor Raymond Vanholder hopes the European Kidney Health Alliance (EDHA) and the ‘Decade of the Kidney’ initiative[5] will help to give a voice to this “silent diseaseâ€, and help people at risk of CKD be screened much earlier, while those living with CKD ca, live longer, healthier, and happier lives through adequate treatments at a sustainable cost to our society.
[1] Jager KJ et al. Kidney Int 2019;96:1048-1050
[2] Vanholder et al. Clin Kidney J 2021;14:1719-1730
[3]International Society of Nephrology. Early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease: A discussion Paper for Building Resilience and Sustainability of Healthcare Systems. Available at: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_CKD_discussion_paper_PHSSR.pdf (Accessed November, 2021)
[4]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease Initiatives. Chronic Kidney Disease Basics. Available at: https://cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html (Accessed November, 2021)
[5]European Kidney Health Alliance, The Decade of the KidneyTM . Available at: http://ekha.eu/the-decade-of-the-kidney/ (Accessed November, 2021)
[6]European Kidney Health Alliance. Recommendations for Sustainable Kidney Care. Available at: http://ekha.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/EKHA-Recs-for-Sustainable-Kidney-Care-25.08.2015.pdf (Accessed November, 2021)
[7]Weinstein JR, Anderson S. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis 2010;17:302-307
