Renal Impairment - Polycystic Kidney Disease

Between the age of 40 to 60,the renal functions of most patients can remain normal even the cysts are growing continuously. In the early stage, the renal impairment usually manifests itself as decline of the renal concentrating function. The main symptoms are diuresis and frequent night urination which are mild and can occur in the early stage. In the late stage there can be salt loss nephropathy. And once there is renal impairment, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) will decline at the rate of 4.4-5.5ml/min every year and it takes about 10 years to develop into end stage renal disease from renal impairment.

Besides damages to the kidneys, PKD can involve and affect many other tissues and organs such as liver, spleen, thyroid or even heart and brain. Therefore early and effective treatments should be sought to block the continuous deterioration or the kidney impairment will become irreversible.