RISING RISK FOR UNDER 50s

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute research, published in the American

Journal of Kidney Disease, found that, among Aussies with type 2, the incidence of kidney failure in under 50s is rising. The study (2002-2013) concludes that this impacts the growing demand of the nation’s kidney dialysis and transplants. “This is a really troubling finding,” says Professor Jonathan Shaw, senior author, diabetes researcher and endocrinologist. “But hopefully, by improving medical care, by aggressively managing blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in addition to blood [glucose] control, we can start to turn this around.” Diabetes is responsible for more than 40 per cent of all new cases of kidney failure.