What Is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited kidney disease and one of the leading causes of kidney failure. Abdi İbrahim Otsuka draws attention on Polycystic Kidney Disease Day on 10 May to the fact that polycystic kidney disease, which is seen in one out of every 1,000 people in Turkey and is an inherited condition, progresses to dialysis or kidney transplantation if left untreated. Abdi İbrahim Otsuka Medical Directorate, in a statement made on the occasion of Polycystic Kidney Disease Day on 10 May, pointed out that polycystic kidney disease can be seen in 1 out of every 1,000 healthy people in Turkey and compiled critical information about the disease. Polycystic kidney disease is a chronic, progressive and inherited condition. If either parent has this disease, the risk of transmission to the child is 50%. Polycystic kidney disease is a complex disease in which fluid-filled sacs called cysts proliferate and enlarge in the kidneys and other organs, particularly the liver. In polycystic kidney disease, the kidneys can become several times larger than in healthy individuals and cause many complaints and symptoms in patients, primarily pain, bleeding and infection within cysts. Over time, kidney failure develops in most patients. Additionally, high blood pressure and a predisposition to cardiovascular disease are common findings in ADPKD patients. The disease can be diagnosed both in adulthood and in childhood.

The cause in 1 out of every 10 transplant cases

Kidney transplantation is required because of polycystic kidney disease in 1 out of every 10 cases of kidney failure. While it is possible to slow the progression of the disease with early diagnosis and treatment, most patients develop the need for kidney transplantation or dialysis before reaching an average age of 60. ADPKD has lifelong physical and psychological effects that can negatively impact quality of life. Even in early stages, most patients experience symptoms that impede work life and physical activity. It can lead to deep emotional impacts such as loss, uncertainty and fear, and this can create anxiety disorders or depression. People with complaints such as high blood pressure, lower back and/or back pain, frequent urinary tract infections, bloody urine, frequent kidney stone passage, or those with polycystic kidney disease among first-degree relatives and family members should consult a nephrology specialist, which is of great importance for early diagnosis and treatment.