In Spain, 2 out of every 3 people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are undiagnosed, which means that most are unaware that their kidneys are slowly deteriorating without showing obvious symptoms. Furthermore, more than half of Andalusians do not know that CKD can start without clear signs, while kidney damage progresses gradually. Despite the fact that more than 50% of Andalusians believe that this disease reduces life expectancy, few know that it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
These data are taken from the Interconnected Barometer, a survey endorsed by ALCER, Cardioalianza, FEDE and the scientific societies SEMG and SEMERGEN. This survey is part of the "It's a Matter of 2" campaign, which aims to inform the public about the importance of early diagnosis of CKD. through two simple medical tests: a urine test to measure albuminuria and creatinine, and a blood test to assess glomerular filtration rate.
The survey also reveals that almost 60% of Andalusians are unaware that CKD is connected to type 2 diabetes and heart failure. CKD does not occur in isolation; it is often linked to other conditions such as diabetes and heart problems, forming a cluster of disorders known as cardio-renal-metabolic diseases. In Spain, it is estimated that 1 in 7 adults suffer from CKD, but only 42% of Andalusians are aware of these connections.
As for the seriousness of CKD, 51% of Andalusians believe that it can lead to hospitalisation, although 32% do not consider it to be a major cause of hospital admission. This lack of knowledge about its impact may lead people to underestimate the risk and not prepare adequately for its complications. Only 12% are aware that CKD can progress without clear symptoms, and 61% admit to seeing a doctor only when they have severe symptoms.
Another worrying fact is that more than half of those surveyed recognised that people with risk factors, such as diabetes or hypertension, should have medical check-ups every six months. This would allow early detection of diseases such as CKD and prevent complications.
44% of Andalusians consider obesity as one of the main risk factors for developing CKD, followed by diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption. Despite recognising these factors, 57% do not know what measures to take to prevent these diseases. Experts, such as Dr. María Belén Marrón of SEMERGEN, stress the importance of primary care in educating patients and promoting regular check-ups.
The barometer also shows that more than 70% of Andalusians seek health information from medical professionals, and more than half also use the Internet to obtain information. However, 60% believe that there is not enough information about the relationship between CKD, diabetes and heart disease.
In the face of these challenges, the "It's a Matter of 2" campaign is promoting early diagnosis of CKD through accessible and simple tests. In addition, innovations such as virtual reality glasses are being used in primary care settings to help patients better understand the impact of the disease and its connection to other metabolic disorders.
Alliance spokesperson Boehringer Ingelheim y LillyDr. Miriam Rubio de Santos stresses that health is not only the responsibility of the individual, but a collective effort. The campaign aims to empower both patients and health professionals to improve the prevention and treatment of these interconnected diseases.
