1 in 10 Romanians lives with chronic kidney disease, but due to the symptoms that appear late, the condition is only detected in the advanced stages. There is a free set of analyzes that allow early detection of problems.
There is a set of free kidney tests recommended by doctors. PHOTO: Shutterstock
Annually, over 37,000 people are hospitalized with this diagnosis. On the occasion of World Kidney Day, marked this year on March 14, the Romanian Society of Nephrology (SRN), the National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF) and the Ministry of Health bring back to the attention of Romanians the free set of analyzes for the early diagnosis of the disease, so that patients have fair access to optimal treatments and care.
“Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not manifested by obvious symptoms, and this leads to a widespread underestimation of the prevalence and incidence of the condition. BCR presents a complex pathology and is favored by cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes, common among Romanians. However, chronic kidney disease can be controlled if it is acted upon in time. Since last year, from July 1, this is also possible in Romania – any adult person can benefit from a free set of analyzes for the diagnosis of the disease, which are now part of the basic package of medical services. Today I wanted to give an example of this, by collecting the two tests to assess the health of my kidneys, because I strongly believe that we can prevent this disease, and where it is already installed we are ready to provide medical services quality“, declared Prof. Univ. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, Minister of Health.
7th place in the list of causes of death
Worldwide, Chronic Kidney Disease ranks 7th in the list of causes of death, and specialists estimate that, if it is not addressed in time, it will become the 5th cause of mortality by 2040. Currently, in Romania, only 10% of people with BCR are diagnosed in the early stages.
“The pathology of chronic kidney disease is silent in its early stages. Correct and early diagnosis is essential so that patients do not become dependent on dialysis or kidney transplantation. If we know in advance what we are dealing with, we can prevent complications and delay the progression of the disease. We appeal to people who are diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, other cardiovascular conditions, to go to their family doctor to evaluate their kidney health, by means of two simple tests: glomerular filtration rate estimation and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio“, explained Prof. Univ. Dr. Ina Kacso, President of the Romanian Society of Nephrology.
The measures adopted in 2023, by the Ministry of Health, put the family doctor in the foreground. He, together with doctors from other specialties, can act decisively in the early detection of chronic kidney disease. On the basis of the referral ticket, the laboratories perform the tests to measure the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio free of charge.
“The sooner we act, the greater the chances that our patients' lives will not be affected. But for this to happen, the level of awareness must also increase, both among doctors and patients. Chronic kidney disease is currently an underdiagnosed condition, not only in Romania, but globally. Deterioration of kidney function without any preventive intervention or treatment inevitably leads to an increase in the number of hospitalizations. In the advanced stages, patients end up needing multiple annual hospitalizations. By introducing free tests for chronic kidney disease into the basic package of medical services we can effectively help our patients to prevent the devastating effects of this condition and we urge our colleagues to refer the people they care to for a free kidney health assessmentr” was the unison message sent by Dr. Dina Mergeani, President of the National Society of Family Medicine, respectively Dr. Daciana Toma and Răzvan Miftode, vice-presidents.
Awareness campaign
New therapeutic advances in the treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease offer real hope for more and more patients. Globally, the World Kidney Day 2024 campaign runs under the slogan: “Kidney health for all – Promoting equitable access to care and optimal medicine practice!”.
This topic was also taken up by the scientific community in Romania, which, through the voice of Prof. Univ.Dr. Gabriel Mircescu, Prof. Univ.Dr. Liliana Tuță and Prof. Univ.Dr. Gener Ismail, emphasizes the importance of equitable access for the entire population to kidney health assessment services, as well as to early diagnostic interventions and appropriate treatments for each stage of the disease, including the early ones, in the pre-dialysis phase: “In the last two years, in Romania, important progress has been made to improve the management of chronic kidney disease, by settling the two analyzes recommended for a correct diagnosis, by introducing service packages at day hospitalization level that ensure optimal treatment of patients, but also by increasing the level of awareness of the disease. Another step that must be taken is for this pathology to be treated according to international recommendations, that of access to treatment for patients in the early stages, which we hope to see materialize as soon as possible!”.
The national information and awareness campaign, launched in 2023 by the Romanian Society of Nephrology (SRN), the National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF) and the Ministry of Health, under the slogan “Cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes are common and can seriously affect the kidneys. Assess the condition of your kidneys at your family doctor for free!”emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks and diagnosing kidney problems in the early stages.
The degree of incidence is increased among the elderly, those who suffer from hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity or have a family history of kidney disease. Annual control is required for these categories, in order to detect Chronic Kidney Disease early.
