Chronic kidney disease is reaching epidemic proportions

World Kidney Day is marked in more than 100 countries worldwide, with the aim of raising awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD), of which each tenth adult in the world suffers. It is estimated that about 700 thousand people in Serbia suffer from this serious disease.

CKD is an insidious disease characterised by progressive deterioration of the kidney function; however, in its early phases, it does not reveal any symptoms. Therefore, it is often diagnosed quite late, when the quality of life of the patient has become significantly worse.

„As CKD tends to be diagnosed in its late stages, the only treatment options for most of the patients are dialysis and kidney transplantation. It is therefore very important to raise the awareness of the importance of donorship and kidney transplamntation“, pointed out Col. Neven Vavić, DrSci, Head of Nephrology Clinic at VMA /Military Medical Academy/.

World Kidney Day warns us that timely change of living habits and medical treatment in early phases of the disease will slow down the progression of CKD, as well as the development of many other associated diseases.

„Threfore, the Together for New Life, Association of transplant patients and patients waiting for transplantation, in collaboration with the most prominent doctors, prepared an educating brochure in order to contribute to better prevention and to help patients face this disease more easily. The brochure will be available free of charge to all interested healthcare institutions and patient associations”, pointed out Mladen Todić, Association Chairman.