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CALL FOR ACTION PLAN FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
European Alliance for Kidney Health points to major deficits

03/03/2022 - The European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA) has called for significantly more efforts to combat chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the European Union (EU) and a European action plan.

In Europe, 100 million people suffer from CKD. Of these patients, at least 10% have a rare kidney disease for which there is no specific treatment. It is estimated that CKD will be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide by 2040. However, CKD is also a cost factor. The total costs are at least as high or even higher compared to cancer and diabetes. Haemodialysis in centres is the most common treatment option, although it incurs the highest costs. To improve the situation in the long term, EKHA recommends the following measures:

1. Better prevention of CKD and, in the case of existing CKD, best possible delay of progression.

The aim here is to reduce or avoid lifestyle-related risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Screening should be promoted for high-risk groups. 

2. Improved access to treatment and intensification of therapy research 

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option compared to dialysis in terms of life expectancy, quality of life and cost. 

For patients who cannot be transplanted, home dialysis is more beneficial than centre dialysis. However, access to these options varies across the EU, leading to inequalities in care. In particular, there are deficits in Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, the treatment of kidney failure has not changed significantly in the last 50 years and remains very burdensome for patients. There has been no comparable progress as with cancer, HIV, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

In contrast to the US, there is little commitment and funding in Europe to support encouraging approaches such as mobile or implantable artificial kidneys or xenotransplantation.

3. Better awareness of the particular vulnerability and burden of patients in the pandemic.

Patients with CKD are particularly affected by COVID-19. Mortality rates in COVID-19 patients are worrying: 20% in kidney transplant patients and 21% in dialysis patients. Moreover, vaccine efficacy is very low, especially in transplant patients. Moreover, the risks, isolation and sometimes vague recommendations of the authorities have severely affected the social, family and professional lives as well as the mental health of people with kidney disease. perception of the special risk and burden on patients in the pandemic

4. Promotion of "green dialysis"

All CKD treatments have a considerable carbon footprint and cause a significant environmental impact. In addition, dialysis generates a lot of plastic waste and uses huge amounts of water, more than 169 billion liters per year worldwide.

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