Early CKD Screening Can Save ₹1,100 Crore In Dialysis Costs, Say Nephrologists
Doctors highlighted that diabetes is becoming the top factor for CKDs and renal failure these days. Most of those screened and found in stage one of the disease, did not know they had any problem with their kidneys.
Hyderabad: The government can save around Rs 1,100 crore spent on dialysis over three years, if people are screened early for chronic kidney disease (CKD), highlight nephrologists from the city. The incidence of CKDs is increasing rapidly and surveys hint at lifestyle factors more prominently than ever.
As per a recent study conducted across 30 cities, the prevalence rate of CKDs was found to be 15 per cent, much higher than the global prevalence rate of 10 per cent.
Doctors highlighted that diabetes is becoming the top factor for CKDs and renal failure these days. Most of those screened and found in stage one of the disease, did not know they had any problem with their kidneys. The doctors hint that this should be the 'wake up' call for all of us.
According to Kamal Shah, who himself underwent dialysis for more than 27 years, the government should take active measures in screening people for CKDs, which would need a targeted investment of around Rs 60 crore over three years but it can save a huge cost burden that goes into providing dialysis for patients at a later stage. "If screened and identified at an early stage, the patients can be treated entirely with medications, preventing them decades of their lives spent in getting dialysis," he said.
The study showed a prevalence rate of about nine per cent for Telangana, which is closer to the global rate. The findings spotlight common risk indicators: 27 per cent of respondents reported regular painkiller use, 23 per cent had high blood pressure, 22 per cent were diabetic, and 21 per cent used tobacco. Despite 60 per cent of those screened being men, the prevalence of CKD risk was seen across both genders. The likelihood of developing CKD also rises significantly after the age of 46, yet early symptoms are often absent or mistaken for minor discomfort.
"Besides these lifestyle factors, there are some environmental factors that can be co-related with incidence of CKDs. For eg, it is a known fact that Nalgonda has high flouride in its water. We have also seen prevalence of CKDs in that area. Similar for Uddanam in AP. Studies need to be done to see if that is a direct cause," added Kamal Shah.
"There are some other factors such as the heat index, which leads to kidney failure due to excessive dehydration. It is particularly seen in rural areas among farmers working in the fields. Studies can be done to see how dehydration causes kidney failure in urban areas due to the impact of heat," said Rohit Singh, the CEO of the company that conducted the study.
The doctors also highlighted the need for expanding national and state government-run non-communicable disease (NCD) programmes to include kidney tests, establishing a national patient registry, and promoting early referrals by general physicians. "The National Programme on Non-Communicable Diseases launched by the central government does not include screening for CKDs in a prominent manner, despite the fact that dialysis adds second most cost burden in the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Scheme," Singh added.
Danger signals
A survey in 30 cities found common risk indicators among those suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD)
27% reported regular painkiller use, 23% had high BP, 22% were diabetic, and 21% used tobacco.
Prevalence of CKD risk was seen across both genders.
Likelihood of developing CKD rose significantly after the age of 46.
Environmental factors, such has high fluoride in water, could CKD, as in Nalgonda.
