All about Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. If left untreated, CKD can lead to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life.

 

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

CKD affects approximately 1.7 million Australians (10% of the population) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).

Risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Family history
• Age (65+ years)
• Obesity
• Smoking

CKD can be managed through lifestyle changes, medication, and early detection.

 

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

• ESRD is the final stage of CKD, where kidneys fail to function.
• Over 23,000 people in Australia have ESRD, with 1,500 new cases diagnosed annually (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).
• ESRD prevalence is increasing, with a projected 50% rise by 2030 (Kidney Health Australia, 2020).

 

Demographics

ESRD disproportionately affects:

• Indigenous Australians: 7 times more likely to develop ESRD than non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).
• Older adults (65+ years): 55% of ESRD patients (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019)
• Rural and remote populations: limited access to healthcare services (Kidney Health Australia, 2020)

 

Government Funding

The Australian Government provides funding for ESRD services through:

• Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS)
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

MBS funding supports:

• Doctor consultations and services
• Dialysis and transplantation services
• Diagnostic tests and procedures

PBS funding supports:

• Medications for ESRD management

 

Care Services

• Dialysis (haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)
• Kidney transplantation
• Conservative management (non-dialytic care)
• Palliative care
• Patient education and support services

 

Government Initiatives

• The Australian National Kidney Disease Strategy (2019-2029) aims to improve ESRD prevention, detection, and management.
• The Indigenous Australian Kidney Health Initiative focuses on reducing ESRD disparities in Indigenous populations.

 

Role of Kidney Australia

• By providing home-based dialysis services and prioritising safety and quality care, Kidney Australia supports patients with ESRD in managing their condition and improving their quality of life.