10 Million People in Turkey at Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease

Prof. Dr. Aydın Türkmen, Chairman of the Management Board of the Turkish Nephrology Society, made a statement on the occasion of 12 March World Kidney Day, noting that chronic kidney disease is a serious public health problem in Turkey and emphasizing the vital importance of early diagnosis and organ donation.

Chronic Kidney Disease Alarm in Turkey
Prof. Dr. Aydın Türkmen, Chairman of the Management Board of the Turkish Nephrology Society and faculty member of the Department of Nephrology at Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, made assessments on the occasion of 12 March World Kidney Day, revealing that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Turkey has reached 16 percent.

According to data shared by Türkmen, this rate indicates that approximately 10 million people face the risk of kidney failure. Noting that the disease has an insidious and progressive character, Türkmen stated that through early diagnosis, disease progression can be stopped or slowed, and called on citizens to undergo regular health checkups.

Approximately 13,000 New Patients Enter the Dialysis System Annually
Türkmen, noting that for patients in the end stage where kidney function falls below 15 percent, vital options are dialysis or organ transplantation, stated that in Turkey, approximately 13,000 new patients begin dialysis treatment each year, while the annual number of organ transplants remains at approximately 3,500 level.

Emphasizing that organ transplantation not only improves quality of life, Türkmen also noted that it extends lifespan significantly compared to dialysis.

Large Gap with the West in Cadaver Donation
Türkmen expressed that Turkey has achieved significant success in organ transplant surgery but donation rates are not at adequate levels, drawing particular attention to the insufficiency of cadaver donation.

Noting that approximately 90 percent of organ transplants in Western countries are conducted from cadavers (from individuals who have suffered brain death), Türkmen stated that in Turkey this ratio works in reverse, with 90 percent of transplants conducted from living donors.

Türkmen, stating that the number of cadaver donations per million population is 5 in Turkey and 50 in countries such as the USA and Spain, said this difference demonstrates that public awareness needs to be increased.

"Paired Kidney Exchange" Can Increase Transplant Numbers
Drawing attention to the importance of the "paired kidney exchange" (swap transplant) system in overcoming donor shortage, Türkmen stated that matching families in a national pool who cannot undergo transplantation due to tissue or blood group incompatibility could increase the number of transplants by at least 10 percent.

Türkmen also noted that facilitating the process of informing families in cases where brain death has been confirmed through new regulations is a scientifically positive development, but societal acceptance must be increased simultaneously.

Hundreds of Women Have Become Mothers After Transplantation
Noting that organ transplantation is not only a treatment method but also represents a return to life, Türkmen said there are many patients who have recovered their health and become mothers following kidney transplantation.

Türkmen, stating that approximately 200 patients being followed at his clinics have become mothers after transplantation, expressed that this represents one of the most concrete examples demonstrating the societal benefit of organ donation.

Four Critical Priorities in Kidney Health
According to Türkmen, the following priorities are of great importance for protecting kidney health in Turkey:

-Early diagnosis and regular health checkups

-Increasing public awareness regarding organ donation

-Rigorous follow-up of patients after transplantation

-Strict oversight of transplant centers through "survival rates"

Türkmen noted that these priorities form the foundation of Turkey's kidney health policies.