Early detection is vital in combating kidney disease

Abu Dhabi: Although classified as one of the growing health concerns in the UAE, chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, an expert said here.

As a disease that can only be reversed in its initial stages, patients should immediately see a primary care doctor as early as possible, Dr Yassin Al Shahat, consultant nephrologists and head of nephrology at Al Noor Hospital, told Gulf News.

"Primary care physicians focus on treating the risk factors of CKD, like diabetes and hypertension, without paying attention to the harm being done to the target organs by these conditions. So like a silent disease, CKD spreads until it can no longer be reversed," Al Shahat told participants of the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress 2010.

Risk factor

Al Shahat said family history is also a key risk factor of CKD.

"A doctor can only delay the patient's death using dialysis or kidney transplantation if CKD is not diagnosed early. Primary health care practitioners like your family doctor therefore play a significant role in diagnosis, treatment and patient education," he added.

Statistics: Kidney  disease

• 200 out of every 1 million people have CKD
• 15 per cent growth in incidence of CKD every year

Source: Dr Yassin El Shahat, Al Noor Hospital