THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
Every year in Britain about 60,000 people die prematurely from kidney disease.
There are 5,200 people waiting for a new kidney. A total of 2,160 transplants were carried out in 2016/17. The average waiting time for one is 864 days. A total of 64,000 patients are being treated for kidney failure – without a transplant or dialysis it can be fatal.
The biggest causes of kidney failure are uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure, with women at greater risk than men.
There is no cure and one in five people with acute kidney injury is admitted to hospital as an emergency. A sudden drop in kidney function can be more deadly than a heart attack.
Children are at risk of kidney disease as well as adults but in their case it is usually due to birth defects and inherited genetic kidney conditions.
More than three million people in the UK are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) but up to a million may be undiagnosed.
Infections, problems with the immune system or having an inherited kidney condition are among the main causes of CKD.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment along with changes in diet and lifestyle, including focusing on keeping fit and active, can lower the chances of having the condition and help slow down or prevent any further damage.