Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects one in 10 people and is estimated to become the fifth leading cause of death worldwide by 2040, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has said.

According to the IKA, the disease is often referred to as “a silent illness hiding in plain sight” because it usually develops slowly over time and can progress to total kidney failure. Over 500 new patients in Ireland develop kidney failure every year.

The IKA, in association with the HSE’s National Renal Office (NRO), is running an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of early screening for the disease. The campaign is also being supported by Diabetes Ireland because people with diabetes are one of the most common at-risk groups for CKD.

The aim of the campaign – ‘We’re Counting on You’ - is to highlight that it is possible to prevent or slow down the progression of kidney disease through lifestyle changes and medication and that it all starts with simple blood and urine tests done via a GP to measure and monitor kidney health.

If CKD is detected early enough, its progression through the five stages of the disease can be slowed down, leading to better patient outcomes.

Risk factors for CKD include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, autoimmune diseases, family history and being over the age of 50.

“People with CKD are medically vulnerable to the effects of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is important that people with the disease are identified so that they can seek the appropriate treatment in a timely manner," commented the national clinical lead for renal services at the NRO, Prof George Mellotte.

According to IKA chief executive, Carol Moore, it is hoped that this awareness campaign will encourage the public to take action and check their kidney function with their GP, given that there is no public health screening programme for kidney disease in Ireland.

“We are pleased that the NRO is endorsing the campaign and are delighted to be working closely with Diabetes Ireland to highlight the importance of kidney health screening as diabetes is one of the main risk factors for CKD,” she said.

Diabetes Ireland welcomed the opportunity to highlight this issue given that it can often go undetected in the early stages as it does not cause symptoms.

“Diabetes, which affects in excess of 250,000 people in Ireland is one of the leading causes of CKD. Diabetes check-ups should include the routine monitoring of kidney function so that changes can be picked up early. It is easily done with routine kidney blood and urine tests.

“Diabetes Ireland is urging all people with diabetes to attend for their routine diabetes check-ups with their GP or diabetes team, to ask for a kidney function test and ensure that a discussion on kidney health becomes an integral part of check-ups,” commented Clair Naughton, a diabetes nurse and regional development officer with Diabetes Ireland.

The IKA emphasised that the success of this awareness campaign is reliant on the support of healthcare professionals, including GPs and pharmacists.

This issue is being highlighted to coincide with World Kidney Day (March 10).