Why CKD continues to fly under the radar
PETALING JAYA : The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Malaysia surged from 9.07% in 2011 to 15.48% in 2018, signalling a worrying trend.
Today, more than 50,000 Malaysians receive dialysis, according to the health ministry, which projects this number could exceed 100,000 by 2040 if early intervention continues to be elusive.
Yet, many remain unaware they might be at risk: the slow, symptomless nature of CKD and lack of public awareness often lead to late diagnosis, after significant and irreversible kidney damage has set in.
CKD is a progressive condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. By the time patients experience symptoms like fatigue, bodily swelling, or changes in urination, significant and often irreversible damage has already occurred.
'CKD is a dangerous disease precisely because it hides in plain sight,' explained consultant nephrologist and physician Dr Chong Yip Boon. 'Left undetected, it can result in life-threatening complications such as cardiovascular disease, symptomatic anaemia, metabolic bone diseases, fluid overload and ultimately, irreversible renal failure and death.
'Its insidious onset and silent progressive nature make early detection both challenging and critical. Lack of public awareness and regular health screenings further increase the difficulty in its early diagnosis.'
Dr Chong Yip Boon.
One of the key reasons CKD is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages is the widespread lack of public awareness and regular checkups.
Most individuals do not experience any discomfort or clear symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Even when signs appear, they are often misattributed to other, less serious conditions.
The common mindset that 'feeling fine means being healthy' leads to delayed action, especially among high-risk individuals. 'The issue isn't that kidney tests aren't available. In fact, they are included in most health screening packages,' Chong noted.
'The problem is that people simply don't come in for checkups until it's too late.'
Screening is especially important for high-risk groups: those with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, morbid obesity, kidney stones, gout, or a family history of kidney disease.
Others include the elderly, frequent users of painkillers or over-the-counter medications, and those who self-medicate regularly.
The health ministry projects that, without early intervention, the number of Malaysians who require dialysis could hit 100,000 by 2040. (Bernama pic)
In some cases, early signs may be more visible than people realise. For example, abnormal bubbly or foamy urine can be an early indicator of protein loss – a possible sign of kidney damage. A simple urine test with a GP or specialist can determine whether symptoms are benign or related to CKD.
Chong places emphasis on practical lifestyle steps to reduce the risk of kidney disease:
drink at least 2 litres of water per day (if there are no underlying heart conditions);
maintain a healthy and balanced diet;
avoid overuse of painkillers, unprescribed supplements, and self-medication;
exercise regularly and aim for sustainable weight reduction;
avoid or limit smoking and alcohol consumption;
schedule routine full-body screenings and checkups to have a more well-informed overview of one's health;
manage existing underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
'Malaysians must begin to see kidney health as an essential part of general wellbeing, not something to think about only when symptoms appear,' Chong stressed.
'Routine screening, especially among at-risk individuals, can lead to early detection, delay disease progression, improve quality of life, and significantly reduce long-term healthcare costs.'
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