Mysuru: The risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is higher in women. According to studies, CKD is more likely to develop in women compared to men, with an average of 14 percent prevalence in women and 12 percent in men. However, the number of women on dialysis is lower than the number of men, said Dr. Uthappa, Consultant Nephrologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Mysore.
“The three major reasons for CKD among women are CKD progression is slower in women compared to men, psycho-socio-economic barriers such as lower disease awareness lead to late or no start of dialysis among women and uneven access to care is a major issue in countries with no universal access to healthcare”, added Dr. Uthappa. The talk was held to commemorate World Women’s Day and Kidney Day.
He also mentioned that pre-eclampsia, septic abortion (infection of the placenta) and post-partum haemorrhage (major bleeding after giving birth) are leading causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young women, and may herald future CKD in survivors. “To ensure good results, there is a clear need for higher awareness, timely diagnosis, treatment and proper follow up of CKD patients, especially women, said Uthappa.
70 to 80 percent of kidney donors are women:
“Kidney transplantation is also unequally spread, mostly due to social, cultural and psychological aspects. Women tend more often to donate kidneys and are less likely to receive them. More wives are donors than husbands, although it is hard to pinpoint a specific reason. The evidence suggests women are motivated by reasons such as altruism and the desire to help their family. Some kidney diseases such as pupus nephritis or kidney infection (acute or chronic pyelonephritis) typically affect women. CKD is also considered a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome and reduced fertility. There is a clear need for higher awareness on CKD in pregnancy, to its timely identification during pregnancy and follow-up even later”, added Dr. Uthappa.
