Prevention and screening

Renal diseases are “silent”, in other words there can be long periods without any symptoms. Therefore, they are often screened at a late stage (kidney insufficiency), implying an urgent dialysis treatment, and in some cases a kidney implant. When screened at an early stage, renal diseases do not necessitate such a heavy and constraining treatment, or at least these treatments can be postponed. Renal diseases are common; they can affect anybody at all ages. However some individuals are more at risk than others (see below). Diseases that affect blood vessels are also likely to damage kidneys, as in the case of arterial hypertension and diabetes.

How can a renal disease be screened?

By means of:

• a simple urine strip test
• a blood test
• regular blood pressure controls

These three methods should be promoted in particular towards individuals with a higher risk of developing a kidney disease: people with diabetes or arterial hypertension, as well as anyone above 60, those with family antecedents of a genetic renal disease, and finally all individuals who have been on a medical treatment known as potentially harmful to kidneys, for instance anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin.