200 new cases of kidney diseases every year

Some 200 new cases of kidney diseases are reported each year at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the numbers have almost doubled during the past three years, says a senior official.
And nearly 1,000 patients with kidney diseases are on dialysis and another 140 are on waiting list for transplant. Separately around 10 children are in need of dialysis or a transplant.
“The number of people with kidney diseases are increasing. We have data from 2013 to 2016 and the number of new patients is increasing. Three years ago it was 100 who were in the initial stage of kidney diseases and now it is 200 a year. Also the number of patients need dialysis is increasing,” said Dr Hassan Al Malki, Adult Nephrology Consultant, Head of Nephrology Division, HMC while announcing the activities for World Kidney Day (WKD) on March 9, to raise awareness among the public.  Around eight to ten percent of the world’s population is affected by kidney diseases and the prevalence in Qatar is similar.
“We have about 800 patients on hemodialysis and there are 170 patients on peritoneal dialysis. And 140 patients are on the waiting list for kidney transplant,” said Dr Mohamad Mahmood Alkadi, Consultant at HMC.  Hemodialysis is a dialysis machine and a special filter called an artificial kidney, or a dialyser, used to clean blood and peritoneal dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of abdomen, to filter blood inside the body. Between 4,500 and 5,000 appointments are seen at HMC’s 14 paediatric nephrology clinics per year. Kidney diseases among children are due to congenital abnormalities — conditions that are present at birth.
 

Congenital abnormalities major cause of paediatric kidney diseases

“We have four patients on hemodialysis and six on Peritoneal dialysis. They need continues dialysis or transplant. We encourage families to donate for their children. At present we have 15 children who have undergone kidney transplant and among them three were done in Doha. Since three years they are doing well. But those who went outside in some countries they receive non related kidney transplant, some of them are coming with lots of complications and one child of 12 years died. After being undergone dialysis for 12 years he went for a transplant outside the country and died and until now we don’t have a report for the cause of death,” said Dr Bajes Y. Hamad, Senior Consultant – Paediatrics at HMC.
“Major cause for paediatric kidney diseases are congenital abnormalities and we have very good antenatal program and diagnose cases at a very early stage as from the second trimester of pregnancy and so we avoid late diagnosis,” he added.
However among adults chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are a major cause for developing kidney disorders.
“Prevalence of kidney diseases in Qatar is similar to other countries. Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are the most common reasons for kidney diseases. Also some conditions like infections are related to the immune level of the body,” said Dr Awais Nauman, Consultant at HMC.
HMC will hold several awareness activities to mark this year’s WKD, being observed worldwide under the theme ‘Kidney diseases and obesity: Healthy lifestyle for healthy kidneys.’ The events will be held at hospitals, schools and primary health centers. A walkathon will be held at Katara on March 10 encouraging people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Dr Adel Aziz, consultant at HMC said, “Healthy food and exercise are way to avoid obesity, hypertension and diabetes. If they have a kidney disease, they need to get a review with the doctor. Follow his advice to get medicine properly and avoid talking pain killers. Drinking proper amount of water is also essential.”