Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Review from the Cleveland Clinic

[okarol]

Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Review from the Cleveland Clinic
September 21, 2009 - 4:24am 79 reads 0 comments

Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is the most common inherited renal disease. In the United States, 5,000 to 6,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Typically 90% to 95% have a family history of the disease. There is currently no cure, but the progression of the disease can be slowed with treatment. Research studies are in progress.

The main feature of PKD is multiple cysts, or fluid-filled sacks, in the kidneys. Cysts may also develop in other organs. About 80% of PKD patients also get cysts in the liver, and 10% get cysts in the pancreas. Other symptoms of this disease are cardiac valve abnormalities, hernias (umbilical, hiatal, and inguinal, as well as diverticulae of the colon), and intracranial aneurysms. A “sentinel” or “thunderclap” headache signals a leaking aneurysm causing irritation of the brain tissue. The aneurysm may rupture soon after the start of this severely painful headache, so PKD patients should seek emergency care immediately.

There are two major types of PKD, caused by mutations in different genes. About 85% of PKD is attributed to mutations in the gene PKD1. For these patients, the cysts first appear in their 20s, and the disease progresses to end stage renal disease by their 50s. For the remaining 15%, the mutation is in gene PKD2, and the disease progresses more slowly, so that end stage renal disease develops in their 70's. Genetic testing is available.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a key factor in the rate of progression of all kidney disease. The target blood pressure is 110 to 130 over 70 to 80 (mmHg). Other risk factors for rapid kidney failure in PKD include male sex, onset of high blood pressure before age 35, blood in the urine before age 30 in men, and for women, three or more pregnancies.

The current treatment includes three dietary recommendations:
1. Drink 3 liters of water per day,
2. Avoid caffeine and methylxanthines (similar to caffeine, found in chocolate)
3. Eat a low-sodium diet, < 2,300 mg/day.

Medication is used primarily to control high blood pressure. However, 36 research studies are currently in progress to test other drug and dietary options. You can check them out at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

by Linda Fugate, Ph.D.

Reference:

Braun WE, “Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: Emerging concepts of pathogenesis and new treatments”, Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, February 2009; 76(2): 97-104.

http://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/09/21/polycystic-kidney-disease-review-cleveland-clinic

[Des]

Thanks Okarol.

I think being pregnant with twins might have sped up my PKD. If I read the article correctly. AND I never drank alot of water when I was a younster... I was a nurse and we had a very few tea breaks.

I can pass the info on to my kids - hope it helps.

[willowtreewren]

Thank you, Karol.

I sent this to my daughter who is considering a third child. 

Maybe I should send it to her husband too! 

Aleta