Research shows that in the United States from 1988 to 2010, the prevalence of chronic renal failure is increasing with poor outcomes for patients and rapidly rising costs. According to a 2009 report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), in 2007, seven out of every 10 new cases of chronic renal failure listed diabetes or hypertension as the primary cause.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic renal failure, characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. Blood glucose is also known as blood sugar. Having high blood sugar levels damages the blood vessels in the kidneys causing them to fail. The rising incidence of diabetes in the United States is causing an increase in patients with chronic renal failure. According to the guidelines published on diabetes in renal disease in 2007 by the National Kidney Foundation, diabetes causes 45 percent of all kidney failure cases, which is an increase of 18 percent since 1980.
High Blood Pressure
Persistent high blood pressure or hypertension is the second largest cause of chronic renal failure. According to an article published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in 2004, 50 million Americans suffer from hypertension. High blood pressure forces the heart to pump faster and, over time, this causes damage to blood vessels throughout the body including the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys fail to remove wastes and extra fluid from the body. The extra fluid builds up in the body causing a cycle of even more high blood pressure. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), every year, high blood pressure causes more than 25,000 new cases of kidney failure in the United States.
Glomerular Diseases
Glomerular diseases cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. Glomerular diseases slowly destroy renal function leading to renal failure. The most common primary glomerular diseases include membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. They are usually diagnosed by biopsy of the kidney. Treatments include immunosuppressive drugs or steroids.
Inherited and Congenital Kidney Diseases
The Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation estimated in 2010, that 12.5 million people worldwide have PKD. Defective genes cause PKD in the vast majority of patients. Mutations in the PKD1, PKD2, and PKHD1 genes cause autosomal dominant PKD and autosomal recessive PKD. Acquired cystic kidney disease, another type of PKD, develops on its own. PKD causes multiple cystic growths in the kidneys, which become filled with fluid. This eventually leads to renal failure.
Other Causes
Certain pain killers including aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can cause chronic renal disease. Renal damage or renal failure occurs when they are taken in doses, which are outside the recommended range or taken regularly over a long periods of time. Patients need to inform clinicians before taking pain killers to make sure they are not at risk.
References
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Protect Your Kidneys by Controlling Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
- Center For Disease Control and Prevention: Protect Your Kidneys by Controlling Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease
- Analgesic Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse: Nephropathy (Painkillers and the Kidneys)
