African
Americans Hit Hard by Disease that Strikes
without Warning
(ARA) - Millions of Americans are at high risk for kidney disease, but do not know it. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes, accounting for 70 percent of new kidney failure cases among adults. A family history of kidney failure also increases risk.
"People just don't make the connection between their diabetes or their high blood pressure and kidney disease," says Dr. Janice Lea, associate professor of medicine at Atlanta's Emory University. "It is important to help people understand their risk and what to do about it."
That's the goal of "You Have The Power To Prevent Kidney Disease," a public awareness campaign created by the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP), an initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The campaign is focused on increasing awareness of the seriousness of kidney disease and the importance of testing those at high risk, particularly African Americans -- a group hit hard by kidney disease -- and health care providers.
Kidney disease is a growing epidemic in the United States, affecting nearly 20 million people. In addition, almost half a million people already are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant because their kidneys failed. That number is expected to reach more than 660,000 by 2010.
African Americans are disproportionately affected
by kidney disease. They are four times more likely than Caucasians to develop
kidney failure. And, although African Americans make up 12 percent of the
population, they account for 30 percent of people with kidney failure.
Findings from the first ever NIH survey to measure African Americans'
knowledge and awareness of kidney disease illustrate the need for the
campaign. The survey found shocking results.
The survey found that 44 percent of respondents had at least one major kidney
disease risk factor, but only 15 percent felt that their personal risk for
developing kidney disease was higher than average. Only 17 percent of respondents
named kidney disease as a consequence of diabetes, and only 8 percent named
it as a consequence of hypertension.
The survey also found misperceptions about the symptoms of kidney disease. Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of those surveyed incorrectly named symptoms such as difficulty urinating, general pain or frequent urination. But in fact, early kidney disease has no symptoms.
Early detection key to fighting kidney disease
Dr. Thomas Hostetter, M.D., who directs the NKDEP, puts it bluntly: "Kidney disease strikes without warning. People find themselves in the emergency room, on dialysis, before they even know they have a problem." But Dr. Hostetter says that those at risk have a way to fight back. "Testing is so important. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure, talk with your healthcare provider about getting tested for kidney disease."
Simple blood and urine tests can detect kidney damage. And the good news is that if kidney disease is found early, treatment is available to slow its progression or prevent kidney failure.
