Anne Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Kidney Health Australia said Type 2 Diabetes is the primary diagnosis causing kidney disease in 20-40% of people starting treatment for end stage renal disease worldwide.  In Australia, the number of new Type 2 Diabetes patients starting dialysis increased 5-fold between 1993 and 2007.

 

Ms Wilson said with only 8.4% of the general population in surveys identifying the risk factor between Type 2 Diabetes and kidney failure we have a major serious problem with people being able to lose 90% of the use of their kidneys without even knowing it, combined with a major community information gap over the link between Type 2 Diabetes and kidney failure.

 

 

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said people in the high risk area of having some form of Chronic Kidney Disease and who should be having regular kidney health checks include:

• Patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension
• Individuals who are obese or smoke
• Individuals over 50 years of age
• Individuals with a family history of kidney disease, diabetes mellitus or hypertension
  

The seven golden rules for prevention of chronic kidney disease, defined and proven successful in protecting against both renal and cardiovascular disease include:  

* Reduction of high blood pressure - the lower the blood pressure, the slower the GFR decline
* Specific medications to reduce proteinuria as well as lower blood pressure - ACE inhibitors/ARBs 
* Reduce salt intake to lower blood pressure 
* Control of glucose, blood lipids and anemia
* Stop smoking 
* Increased physical activity 
* Control of body weight  

www.kidney.org.au

 

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 Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201