Polycystic kidney disease: What should we do?

Last updated: March 6, 2024

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For me as a urologist who’s dealing with kidney problems in every single day. There is one genetic-related kidney condition which happen in young population and always terrifying the one whom experienced, so-called “Polycystic kidney disease”. It is a state of several cystic lesions all over the kidney organ. Today, I will clarify everything you must know about this disease.

Polycystic kidney disease has prevalence rate between 1 in 500 to 1 in 4,000. It is the most frequent genetic-related cause of renal failure. At the age of 60 years, 50% of patients need a renal replacement therapy (either hemodialysis or kidney transplantation). It is mostly asymptomatic in childhood and become symptomatic during 3^rd or 4^th decade of life.

There is no distinguishing incidentally between male and female. When time goes by, the kidney size and the cysts size will get growing, these are why patient will experience clinical symptoms when getting older. Here are the problems which patients can be experienced.

Examples of Complicated Polycystic kidney disease

1. Episodic of flank pain from
   • Bleeding cyst – Bloody urination may be a clue for this.
   • Infected cyst – Fever may be a clue for this.
   • Kidney stone – 20% of kidney stones are reported in Polycystic kidney disease patients

2. Urinary tract infection – is a common issue in Polycystic kidney disease patients. It can possibly manifest at any area of urinary tract system.
   • Acute pyelonephritis – Infection of kidney itself.
   • Acute cystitis – Infection of urinary bladder.
3. Hypertension – is the most common comorbidity of Polycystic kidney disease.

4. Renal failure – patients with Polycystic kidney disease cannot avoid an end stage of renal failure when they are aging. 77% of patients which age 50 years can live with their own kidney function and only 52% at age 73.

Polycystic kidney disease is not a serious medical condition if the patient can figure out the disease well. Regular follow up with specialist and earlier detection for any possibly complications are more likely the key to prolong patient’s kidney function. Any questions, you can discuss with your trusted urologist. See you in next article!

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