Lahore: Diabetes, hypertension, kidney stones, genetic disorders, self-medication and unnecessary use of medicines are driving a rapid increase in kidney diseases in Pakistan, where nearly 12 percent of the population, or around 30 million people, are suffering from some form of kidney disease, resulting in more than 30,000 deaths annually, nephrologists have warned.
Experts said the actual burden could be considerably higher as kidney disease often progresses silently, with a large number of people remaining unaware of their condition until significant damage to the kidneys has already occurred.
Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN) Vice President Prof Dr Ali Saqlain Haider said around 30 million people in Pakistan were estimated to be living with some form of kidney disease, while more than 30,000 deaths were attributed to kidney-related illnesses every year.
He said diabetes and hypertension were among the leading causes of kidney disease in Pakistan, while intrinsic kidney diseases, kidney stones and certain genetic disorders could also lead to progressive kidney damage and ultimately kidney failure.
Prof Haider expressed particular concern over widespread self-medication, saying people frequently took medicines for common illnesses and pain without consulting a doctor, while unnecessary and prolonged use of certain medicines could damage the kidneys.
He said greater emphasis was needed on prevention and early detection rather than waiting for kidney disease to progress to an advanced stage, as timely diagnosis and treatment could slow its progression and help prevent patients from reaching kidney failure and requiring dialysis.
“Controlling diabetes and high blood pressure, along with timely screening, is extremely important for preventing and detecting kidney disease at an early stage,” he said.
Prof Haider said basic investigations, including a complete urine examination and blood tests for urea and creatinine, could help detect kidney dysfunction at an early stage, while an ultrasound could also be performed when advised by a physician.
Experts said people with diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease and other risk factors should undergo regular kidney screening because significant damage could occur without producing noticeable symptoms during the early stages.
They warned that once kidney disease progressed to an advanced stage, patients could require lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant, both of which were expensive and complex treatments with limited accessibility in many parts of the country.
PSN President Prof Dr Amir Azhar described kidney disease as a growing “silent problem”, saying delayed diagnosis meant a large number of patients reached hospitals only after their disease had progressed to an advanced stage.
He called for greater public awareness, screening of high-risk populations and improved training of healthcare professionals to reduce the growing burden of kidney disease in the country.
The experts spoke at a ceremony where the Pakistan Society of Nephrology and PharmEvo signed a memorandum of understanding for holding nephrology Grand Rounds to improve the academic and professional training of young nephrologists and trainees.
PSN Secretary Dr Ahmed Zeb Khan said the Grand Rounds would provide young nephrologists and trainees an opportunity to discuss complex cases with experienced specialists and improve their knowledge of modern diagnostic and treatment approaches.
He said strengthening the diagnostic and clinical skills of young nephrologists would ultimately benefit patients through earlier diagnosis, appropriate treatment and better management of kidney diseases.
PharmEvo Director Marketing Samar Iqbal Jafri said the initiative with the Pakistan Society of Nephrology was aimed at promoting medical education, research and professional training and providing young doctors with opportunities to learn from experienced specialists.