Chronic Kidney Disease - Europe’s Silent Epidemic

BRUSSELS, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA) and World Kidney Day organisations today call for European health polices to support early identification and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The meeting, held in the European Parliament, marks the occasion of World Kidney Day, which this year will be on 13^th March. An eminent panel of leading renal physicians and nurses, politicians and patient organisations highlighted the need for policies that reduce the burden of kidney disease for patients, physicians and society at large.

Speaking at the meeting, MEP Mrs. Frieda Brepoels said, “I strongly believe that the European Union can play a leading role in this regard. Efforts can be pulled together at European level by putting the prevention of kidney disease high on the European agenda. Furthermore, progress can be made by exchanging best practices between Member States and by improving existing technologies to detect kidney disease so as to assure that every European citizen has equal access to high-quality health care”.

In addition to the need to increase organ donation (a proposed Communication on ‘Organ Donation and Transplantation: Policy Actions at EU-Level’ is currently being discussed in the European Parliament), it is important to reduce the number of people developing CKD and renal failure. Recent data show that about 10% of the European population have some degree of CKD, but in some it progresses to become so severe as to require Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) with dialysis or transplantation. The prevalence of CKD is set to rise because it is linked to the other modern epidemics affecting Europe: obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In most cases people are not aware of the fact that they have CKD. The incidence of people requiring RRT is about 125 cases per million per year. But this is just the tip of the iceberg if we refer back to the data that shows that 10% of the population has some degree of CKD.

“Public health measures to identify CKD at the earliest possible stage are central to preventing the rapid escalation of the CKD epidemic,” said Professor Andrew Rees, Chairman of EKHA. “As with all epidemics, decisive action needs to be taken first by recognising the scale of the problem and then by putting strategies in place that reverse its consequences. The EKHA brings together the combined expertise and experiences of patients and healthcare professionals to work towards preventing the consequences of CKD through better detection and management. We hope that events like today’s will help convince policy makers that we now need urgent action to make better kidney health a priority for Europe.”

“We can count the cost of kidney disease in financial terms, but the impact on the lives of patients as a result of late identification and diagnosis is incalculable,” comments Dr Donal O’Donoghue, the UK’s National Clinical Director for Kidney Care. “For example, in the UK, dialysis alone accounts for 2% of the total NHS budget and this is projected to double over the next five years. In comparison, the cost of implementing CKD prevention strategies can be modest."

World Kidney Day (WKD) aims to raise awareness about the heavy burden of CKD on human lives. Celebrated worldwide on 13^th March 2008, WKD offers a crucial, visible opportunity to inform and educate health policymakers, people who are at highest risk of CKD, and the general public that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable. This year the EKHA and World Kidney Day have joined forces to hold this awareness-raising event in the European Parliament. The event is supported by Amgen and HemoCue.

About CKD

CKD is a progressive, irreversible condition characterised by kidney damage and impaired kidney function. There are five stages of CKD which are defined by the level of kidney function as measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and on the presence of low amounts of albumin in the urine, so called microalbuminuria. The lower the eGFR, the more advanced the CKD. Screening for eGFR and microalbuminuria is especially needed when there is an elevated risk of the disease, e.g. in patients with diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure).

Many factors contribute to the progression of CKD. The most common causes are diabetes, hypertension, and generalised atherosclerosis. Especially when these factors are associated with the loss of albumin in the urine, renal function will rapidly progress to end stage renal disease. An ageing population coupled with the growing prevalence of obesity-related type 2 diabetes has increased the number of people with or at risk of CKD.

About the EKHA

The European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA) is an alliance of not-for-profit organisations that represent the key stakeholders in kidney health issues in Europe. EKHA member organisations are CEAPIR (European Kidney Patients’ Federation), EDTNA/ERCA (European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association), ERA-EDTA (European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association), ISN (International Society of Nephrology). More information on www.ekha.eu

About World Kidney Day

World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). More information on www.worldkidneyday.org

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

About HemoCue

HemoCue, a Quest Diagnostics company, is a leading global company in a field of diagnostics known as near patient, or point of care, testing. In 1982, HemoCue introduced the first system making accurate haemoglobin testing possible in near patient settings. The company also manufactures point of care tests for glucose and urine albumin. Quest Diagnostics acquired HemoCue in 2007. More information on www.hemocue.com

Notes to editors: About CKD and its symptoms

CKD generally progresses to ESRD when patients no longer have kidney function adequate to sustain life and therefore require dialysis (the artificial process of cleaning waste from the blood) or kidney transplantation. Without proper treatment to remove waste and fluids from the bloodstream (i.e. dialysis or kidney transplantation), CKD at this stage is fatal.

Anaemia is one of the most common symptoms of CKD, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, poor concentration, dizziness and pallor, which can have a major impact on a patients’ quality of life. Anaemia often develops early in CKD and, when patients do not have access to screening, these symptoms may be the first sign of CKD.