What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a gradual loss of the kidneys’ filtering ability, usually due to high blood pressure or diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure. Recent data shows that the number of Singaporeans diagnosed with kidney failure has jumped significantly from about 3.5 new cases every day in 2009 to about 5.7 new cases in 2019, with no sign of abating. There are currently more than 8,500 dialysis patients in Singapore. It is vital that kidney disease is discovered early so that treatment can be initiated to better manage the condition and prevent progression to kidney failure.

Early detection of chronic kidney disease

NKF has set up a CKD Clinic at its headquarters that focuses on targeting at-risk groups. This includes family members of dialysis and CKD patients, and members of the Malay community, in view of their higher prevalence of CKD. They are provided with one-stop free kidney screening and consultation at the clinic and follow-up for targeted lifestyle interventions. With NKF’s close partnerships with various care providers and community partners, primary care and renal care can be better integrated to help prevent CKD and slow progression to kidney failure.

Are your kidneys okay?

Underlying causes of CKD can often go unnoticed until much later in the course of the disease. Early symptoms and signs may also be non-specific. Similarly, kidney disease often does not present itself with many symptoms or signs ad may not be detected until its advanced stages. In advanced stages of kidney disease, much of the damage is irreversible. As such, it is important that kidney disease is detected early so that treatment can be initiated to better manage the condition and prevent progression to kidney failure.