Millions of people could be living with chronic kidney disease without knowing it, according to a major new series of research papers published in The Lancet.
Researchers say between 30 and 50 per cent of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in high-income countries such as the UK remain undiagnosed, despite the condition affecting an estimated 7.2 million people nationwide.
CKD is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. It currently affects around 844 million adults worldwide and is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040.
Experts say early diagnosis is vital and can often be achieved through a simple urine test that detects protein in the urine. However, the test is not routinely used in all healthcare settings, meaning many people are only diagnosed after the disease has significantly progressed.
The research was led by Dr Jennifer Lees, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Dr Lees said: “Chronic kidney disease remains one of the most concerning conditions currently impacting global health. The overriding message from our series of research papers is that there remains a pressing need for attention and resource to be focused on this condition.
“There is huge potential to improve early diagnosis, treatment and healthy lifespan by testing urine for protein routinely across a range of healthcare settings.”
The condition often develops without symptoms in its early stages. Many people do not experience warning signs until kidney function has deteriorated significantly and treatments such as dialysis or a transplant may be required.
The findings have been released ahead of the annual European Renal Association Congress, which is being held in Glasgow from 3 to 6 June and is expected to attract up to 10,000 kidney specialists from across Europe.