According to 2016 statistics, Dubai Hospital performed more than 33,000 dialysis sessions for over 250 patients. Of these, diabetics make up 45-48 per cent of the total number of patients on dialysis.
“The high prevalence of diabetes and hypertensive patients in the country means a higher number of people with kidney disease because both these diseases are major risk factors for kidney disease,” said Dr Amna Khalifa Al Hadari, Head of the Nephrology Department.
“The problem is coupled by the fact that kidney disease is a silent disease in the initial stage; it does not manifest prominent symptoms, resulting in late diagnosis. This often means that dialysis is the last and only resort.”
On World Kidney Day, nephrologists at Dubai Hospital will highlight the importance of early detection. Over the past two weeks, the hospital has reached out to schools, health centres and governmental departments to raise awareness about kidney disease and the importance of early detection. They conducted health screenings that included tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI and urine for hypertensive patients to check protein levels and rule out kidney disease. Those with high parameters will be referred to DHA’s primary healthcare centres to determine whether the patient already has damaged kidneys or is at a risk of developing kidney disease.
“The hospital sees a lot of young adults suffering from this disease because the onset of diabetes, which often begins early and when that is uncontrolled it leads to complications such as kidney disease. When it is detected late, we have no option but to begin dialysis, which affects the quality of life of the patient and also puts them at risk for developing heart disease," said specialist nephrologist
Dr Sima Abdulla Al Awadhi.
“Our message to the community is to ensure they undergo yearly health screenings and those with a family history of the disease, those who have had kidney infections or stones in the kidney, or those with co-morbidities such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension should undergo screening for kidney disease every three to six months. In our region, I would say screening should begin as early as 20 years.”
Dr Ala Habaibeh, Specialist Paediatric Nephrologist at Dubai Hospital, said that compared to adults, in children the symptoms manifest themselves early on. “Prenatal testing in a foetus at risk for kidney disease takes place at 20 weeks. Therefore, we know early on and can treat a new-born early especially for congenital kidney disease. In babies and children the symptoms are also clear, they include no growth in height and poor weight gain compared to their peers, anaemia, hypoactive, weak bones, passing less urine, convulsions, regular fever due to recurrent urine infection and underlying conditions such as reflux, swelling in hands and legs and puffy eye bags, etc.”
Dr Habaibeh explained that almost 50 per cent of paediatric cases of kidney disease are due to congenital problems and 10-15 per cent are due to immune disease. He also cautioned that kidney disease in young adults and adolescents is often due to unhealthy lifestyles.
Hypertension and diabetes is a major risk factor for kidney disease and we find that in adolescents a major reason of kidney disease is a poor lifestyle. Obesity due to a westernised diet and excessive consumption of fatty-foods, which are high in sodium levels, can lead to hypertension. Both these are major risk factors.”
Dr Habaibeh advised that children should drink plenty of water, at least eight to ten glasses a day, be physically active and play sports, reduce their dependence on digital technology and eat a healthy diet.
“I would advise all family members to do the same because children mirror their parent’s lifestyle and it is a fact that today — globally and in the region — most diseases are lifestyle-related.
“If we can get our lifestyle in order we can minimise our risk factors of developing such diseases and maximise our chances of leading a healthy life.”
Kidney disease types
There are two types of kidney disease. Acute Kidney Disease, which is a serious condition that develops suddenly, often lasts a short time and the patient usually recovers completely once the underlying cause has been treated.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) tends to worsen over time. CKD eventually leads to kidney failure and needs to be treated with a kidney transplant or dialysis for life.
