Jamaicans Urged to Screen Annually for Kidney Disease

Jamaicans, particularly those suffering from hypertension and diabetes, are being urged to screen annually for kidney disease, in order to reduce the risk of end stage renal failure.

Consultant Internist and Nephrologist at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, Dr. Curtis Yeates, made the call ahead of Thursday’s (March 9) commemoration of World Kidney Day.

The Day, being observed under the theme: ‘Kidney Health for All – Preparing for the Unexpected, Supporting the Vulnerable’, forms part of World Kidney Awareness Week, from March 5 to 11.

Dr. Yeates told JIS News that an estimated one in seven Jamaicans will develop kidney disease at some point in their lives, consequent on the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in the country.

He informed that hypertension and diabetes are the main causes of persons developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Jamaica.

“Hypertension and diabetes are very prevalent in Jamaica, such that, in the adult population, 15 to 74 years old, 31.5 per cent of the people have hypertension and 10.2 per cent of the adult population have diabetes,” he pointed out.

“We know for certain that 327 people to a million population will develop chronic kidney disease every year. Hence the reason we have to make people aware about the issue of chronic kidney disease and the importance of preventing it, recognising it and treating it,” Dr. Yeates added.

He explained that kidney disease severity is classified in five stages, with stage one being very mild, while stage five is kidney failure – when these organs have failed or are close to failing.

After stage five, the body is no longer able to filter out waste from the blood. Kidney disease screening involves a blood or urine test.

“Stage five is the worst stage. But in the first three stages, you might have no symptoms at all. You will have signs but no symptoms. So you can’t wait until you get the symptoms before you get screened or checked. So, if you are hypertensive or diabetic or have some kind of condition that makes you at risk of developing CKD, you must be screened for it,” Dr. Yeates emphasised.

He indicated that symptoms usually appear at stages four and five and may include swelling of the legs, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, weakness, lethargy, coughing and hiccups.

The nephrologist encourages Jamaicans to practise a healthy lifestyle to minimise the risk of developing the illness.

“Diet is a very important factor… in the sense that diet infringes on hypertension and diabetes. So if diet could impinge on diabetes and hypertension, diet could impinge on chronic kidney disease,” Dr. Yeates reasoned.

He also emphasised the importance of good water intake, which tends to protect the kidneys.

“Drinking adequate amounts of water tends to have a beneficial effect on the kidneys; and that adequate amount is usually 1.5 litres to two litres per day,” he added.

World Kidney Awareness Week and World Kidney Day are used as a global campaign to emphasise the importance of kidneys to overall health, and reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease.