Media Release 16 November 2009

Diabetes the Leading Cause of Kidney Failure

Kidney Health Australia today said diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 34% of new dialysis patients in 2008, up 3% on 2007.

Less than half of the people diagnosed with diabetes are undergoing a simple screening test for kidney disease.

Twenty years ago Type 2 diabetes accounted for only 2% of new dialysis patients.
The contribution of diabetes in causing kidney failure was the highest on record with 841 / 2462 last year with (34%) new patients having diabetic kidney disease compared with 31% the previous year.

Canberra University's National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) late last month released research which forecast by 2050 the prevalence of complications experienced by Australians living with Type 2 diabetes will include more than 750,000 renal complications.

Anne Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Kidney Health Australia said too many people ignore the close inter-relationship between kidney disease and diabetes or hypertension.

Kidney Health Australia is highlighting the vital link between diabetes and kidney disease to increase awareness of patients with diabetes about their high one in three risk to kidney failure.

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said kidney disease is often detected too late, when the patient is already in end-stage renal failure and will need either dialysis or transplantation.

"The simple way to prevent these issues is to tackle the problem at the source, and ensure early diagnosis of kidney damage by systematically screening people diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension."

Dr Mathew said this can be done with simple and inexpensive blood and urine tests.

"If detected early, damage can be treated with effective therapies. If diagnosed too late, kidney disease leads to kidney failure, which entails dialysis and transplantation."

Kidney Health Australia is urging people at an increased risk of kidney disease - those over 50 years, all diabetics and those known to have high blood pressure - to visit their local GP to request a simple test to check the health of their kidneys.

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO & Managing Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director, Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith National Communications Manager Kidney Health Australia

Mobile: 0417 329 201