Six million is the number of people suffering from chronic kidney disease (CRD) in France. But this figure would be far from reality. The reason: a diagnosis often established late. According to an unprecedented survey revealed by Ipsos, at the beginning of March, only half of patients with MRC are diagnosed and only 1 in 10 French people have heard of kidney disease and know what it is.
Other revelations: a majority of French people have a lack of knowledge of the kidney and its vital function. Indeed, nearly 1 in 2 French people think that the kidney is not essential to the functioning of the human body (48%) and nearly 2 in 5 French people consider that kidney problems do not have very serious consequences for the health (36%). Even more worrying, less than 1 person at risk in 4 considers that they are likely to develop chronic kidney disease (24%) and less than 1 person at risk in 5 declares to be the subject of follow-up concerning their kidney health (18%). In addition, nearly 25% of patients in the moderate stage of the disease die within 5 years. Hence the importance of early detection to avoid this point of no return.
How does it arise? Is it easy to detect it? What is its support? The answers of Valérie Faure-Luc, nephrologist at the La Casamance clinic in Aubagne.
Kidney failure: what is it?
The kidney is a filter that is responsible for purifying the blood of its toxins. Every day, he produces urine in order to eliminate this waste. When they no longer perform its function, we then speak of kidney disease. To estimate kidney function, the filtration rate is calculated. This must be greater than 60 ml/min. In case of lower index, the kidneys work in slow motion. This is called kidney failure. According to the classification, there are 5 stages. At stage 3, we begin to speak of moderate renal failure. Stage 5 corresponds to a stage of end-stage renal disease.
What are the causes ?
Mainly too high blood pressure, the presence of protein in the urine are also warning signs. Likewise diabetes and high blood pressure as well as significant overweight and metabolic disorders. We also cite genetic diseases, the main one being polycystic kidney disease which results in the appearance of numerous cysts on the kidney. The appearance of renal insufficiency can also be linked to chronic urinary tract infections or calculations. Finally, there is natural aging. Beyond the age of 60, there is a drop in the filtration rate. It is of the order of 1 ml/min every 5 years. It is mentioned less but excessive intake of certain drugs such as anti-inflammatories, impacts the kidneys.
What are the symptoms that should alert?
The first manifestations can be edema of the lower limbs, high blood pressure, great fatigue, itching related to a fairly high level of urea in the blood, nausea with sometimes vomiting and loss of appetite.
How can the diagnosis be made?
Kidney failure is usually detected during a blood test which indicates the dosage of creatinine. This allows us to estimate renal filtration. A urinalysis is also associated to verify the presence of albumin.
What are the tips for slowing kidney failure?
It is possible to prevent or slow down the symptoms. But the first piece of advice to give is to adopt common sense lifestyle and dietary rules. This is called nephroprotective treatment which will treat all risk factors, ie balance diabetes, balance hypertension, avoid drugs that are toxic to the kidneys. It is to limit the consumption of proteins. It is also to fight against overweight because overweight is a risk factor, to fight against cardiovascular risks. The management of renal failure depends on its stage of development. If the disease worsens, so-called replacement therapy is used, which corresponds to kidney transplantation and dialysis. And in both cases, there will necessarily be a change in lifestyle and constraints. But to limit the risks, the best remedy remains screening.