Nephrologists on Thursday raised alarm over the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Filipino adults and children.
According to Ma. Lorna Lourdes Simangan, a pediatric nephrologist, the number of documented kidney disorders doubled to 120,000 cases in a 30-year span since the 1990s.
In observance of World Kidney Day on March 14, Simangan urged the public to undergo a urinalysis test annually to determine the presence of protein in their pee, a symptom of CKD.
“Because males urinate while standing, their urine usually has bubbles. Do not flush at once the urine of your son. Wait for about 15 to 30 minutes to observe. If there are still bubbles, he needs his protein (level) be checked,” she advised.
Dr. Teresita Susan Jorge of the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), meanwhile, launched the first episode of a webinar series called “Usapang Bato.”
The program was produced in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency to heighten public awareness on kidney ailment, and its prevention and management.
According to Dr. Anthony Russell Villanueva, an adult nephrologist, said kidney illness poses a serious public health concern not just in the Philippines but worldwide.
He noted at least 10 percent of the (global) population suffer from CKD and other kidney related diseases, citing international data.
Villanueva added a huge number of kidney patients would need dialysis treatment and transplantation in the Philippines by 2025. “That is a big problem for the adult and children population,” he said.
Based on the August 2023 data published by The Lancet Regional Health in Western Pacific, the prevalence rate of CKD in the Philippines is at 35.94 percent, which is much higher than estimated global rates.
It said 94 percent of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are undergoing center-based hemodialysis (HD), four percent are on peritoneal dialysis, and only two percent had kidney transplantation (KT).
“Despite KT being the gold standard treatment for ESRD, HD is still preferred by most Filipino patients due to transplant costs, low organ donations, lack of capable infrastructures, and long-term immunosuppression therapy,” The Lancet said in its study.