In the 2040s, chronic kidney disease (CKD), a “silent” disease, is expected to become the 5th leading cause of death from 8th today. it does not give any symptoms even if someone has lost up to 90% of kidney function..

According to the International Committee for World Kidney Day 2023, over 850 million people worldwide are living with kidney disease, but the vast majority are unaware of it. At the same time, more than two million people in the world are on renal replacement therapy, mainly hemodialysis, or have undergone a kidney transplant.

In Greece, according to the Hellenic Society of Nephrology (HSE), approximately 10% of the adult population suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD), i.e. 1,000,000 Greeks have kidney problems. Of these, 10% (100,000 people) develop severe problems, and 13,000 are on dialysis.

The above data was presented at a press conference on the occasion of today’s World Kidney Day 2023, whose message this year is “Kidney Health for All: Prepare for the Unexpected, Support the Vulnerable”. This message invites the global community to take action to put in place the necessary prevention and treatment policies so that all patients with CKD have access to appropriate care and treatment. During recent catastrophic events (pandemics, wars, earthquakes) it turned out that CKD patients often do not have this opportunity.

Gradual loss of kidney function

“Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which there is a gradual loss of kidney function, usually affecting both kidneys. In the initial stage, its symptoms are not noticed. Someone can lose up to 90% of kidney function without any symptoms and end up on extra-renal dialysis, i.e. hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, or even a kidney transplant. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease, its early diagnosis is crucial, as appropriate treatment can slow down its progression,” said Dimitrios Petras, President of the Hellenic Society of Nephrology, Head of the Nephrology Department of the Hippocrates General Hospital in Athens.

At the same time, he pointed out that early diagnosis of kidney diseases can be made using blood tests and urinalysis, and added that in particular, those with high blood sugar, hypertension, and overweight should be tested for kidney function.have a family history and come from areas with high rates of disease, and are healthy, annually, after 50-55 years.

AUTH Professor of Nephrology, Director of the 2nd AHEPA Nephrology Clinic Vassilios K. Liakopoulos noted that there are older and newer drugs, antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs that can delay the progression of kidney disease. He also noted that hemodialysis, to which a patient with CKD can be referred, in addition to affecting the quality of life, also has a very high cost. Indeed, he characteristically mentioned that the annual cost of blood purification in the US is equal to Greece’s debt.

“The message of World Kidney Day is focused on the need to ensure safe, sustainable and systematic delivery of health services to those who need comprehensive care throughout their lives, such as people living with kidney disease. This call is for health policy makers, governments, industry, healthcare providers, people living with chronic kidney disease, and society at large,” added Mr. Liakopoulos.

Information events in the context of World Kidney Day

In the context of World Kidney Day 2023, in collaboration with the Hellenic Society of Nephrology and Astellas, a campaign is underway to raise public awareness of the importance of monitoring kidney function and maintaining good kidney function.

Campaign message “They don’t cry or show symptoms. That’s why we shouldn’t forget them” highlights the importance of prevention and regular check-ups of kidney health, as most patients do not show any symptoms in the early stages. The campaign’s communication tool is a video called “Silence of the Kidneys”, which is broadcast as a social message on television and social networks.

At the same time, from March 8 to March 10, 2023, information campaigns are held in two central parts of Thessaloniki: on Aristotelous Square with the installation of an art installation and distribution of printed information materials and in the White Tower, where there is a corresponding stand. Thematic posters were also placed in the nephrology departments of hospitals across the country.

Source: RES-IPE