In a recent study conducted by doctors from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, it is revealed that most of the Indians are becoming vulnerable to chronic kidney diseases (CKD) at a very young age.

Usually, the older population above the age of 65 to 75 is more prone to CKDs, but the recent survey indicated the mean age for CKDs in India is 50-55 years. Though many Indians have symptoms of kidney disorders at an age as early as 35, but they reach the chronic stage only at a later age of 50 years.

To ascertain what per cent of young Indians are being contracted with kidney diseases, a team of doctors from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam conducted a multi-city survey and found out that 35.5 per cent of young patients suffering from CKD are from south while 27.9 per cent patients are from North. Coming to West and East India, 25 and 11 per cent respectively suffer from CKD among young people. It is also revealed that patients suffering from CKD in the east are much older.

On the whole, the study revealed that patients with CKD of unknown cause (etiology) are younger, poorer and more likely to suffer from advanced kidney troubles in the near future.

Kidney disease can come in many ways. Kidney stones, kidney cancer and cysts affects the anatomical structure of the kidney, while diseases such as diabetes and hypertension affects the nephrons directly, resulting in a decline of kidney function. Structural diseases can also damage the nephrons, resulting in a decline of kidney function.

If one looks at the recent surveys, it is observed that chronic diseases have become a major cause of global morbidity and mortality even in developing countries. According to recent survey statistics it is revealed that approximate 800 cases of CKD are prevailing per million populations (pmp), and the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is 150-200 pmp. The most common cause of CKD in population-based studies is diabetic nephropathy.

India currently has 820+ nephrologists, 710+ hemodialysis units with 2,500+ dialysis stations and 4,800+ patients on CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis). There are 172+ transplant centres, two-thirds of which are in South India and mostly privately run. Nearly 3,500 transplants are done annually, the total number of cadaver donors being approximately 700 till now. Thus, taken together, nearly 18,000 to 20,000 patients in India get renal replacement therapy every year.

Coming to prevention, kidney disease can be prevented if and only  its symptoms are detected and diagnosed at the early state. Unfortunately, except for a few types of kidney disease, most of them cannot be fully cured. It is possible to control the effects by watching one’s diet, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and taking appropriate medication.

For end-stage kidney failure, the only treatment option available would be either dialysis or transplantation.