22/05/2009

1 in 7 Australians over 25 years have at least
one clinical sign of existing Kidney Disease

'Make A Noise about The Silent Killer'
Kidney Health Week 24-30 May 2009

1 in 7 Australians, the equivalent of the entire population of Sydney, have at least one clinical sign of existing Kidney Disease such as reduced kidney function and the presence of protein or blood in their urine, Kidney Health Australia said today.

Anne Wilson, CEO of Kidney Health Australia launching the 2009 Kidney Health Week campaign under the banner of 'Making a Noise About the Silent Killer' said protein is found in the urine of 2.4 % of the Australian population and is an indication of the kidneys not functioning correctly.

"It is four times higher in people with diabetes and five times higher in those people with high blood pressure which affects 1 in 4 Australians. 50% do not have blood pressure managed to target levels.

"High blood pressure is found in 80% of patients with failed kidneys, and is a major contributor to Chronic Kidney Disease which kills 40 people a day in Australia.

"High blood pressure in people with Chronic Kidney Disease managed in primary care was controlled to the treatment target in only 37% of cases, in one recent large Australian study."

Kidney Health Week this year will focus on the critical issue of controlling blood pressure and also target obesity which is a major risk factor for kidney disease. More than 2.6 million adult Australians are considered to be obese.

The major part of the battle against Kidney Disease is awareness as people can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before experiencing any symptoms and within a few days can find they are on dialysis, hence the name 'The Silent Killer'.

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said the incidence of kidney failure occurs more frequently in the Aboriginal population than in non Aboriginal Australians.

"The overall death rates from Chronic Kidney Disease are up to ten times higher in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities compared to the rest of the Australian population.

"Greater prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in some Indigenous Australian communities is due to the high incidence of traditional risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking."

Kidney and Urinary Fast Facts - pdf file click to download.

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO 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