Complications of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited disease, which means that the disease is passed on from parents to children through genes. People with the disease can be asymptomatic and may become symptomatic usually by ages 30 to 50. The most common clinical manifestations of PKD include back or side pain, tenderness around the abdomen, or a feeling of fullness. With the development of PKD, there may appear some complications as follows.

Ⅰ. High blood pressure (hypertension)

This occurs in about 60% to 70% of people with PKD and for many is the first sign of the disease. Due to the presence and gradual enlargement of multiple cysts, the normal kidney structure is altered. Consequently, the kidney function of monitoring blood volume is disturbed and more renin is secreted, causing elevated level of blood pressure.

Ⅱ. Urinary tract infection (UTI)

UTI is common among people with PKD, which include cystitis, pyelonephritis, infection of cyst and perinephric abscess. For female patients, urinary tract examination is one of the risk factors, because while doing it, equipments may lead to infection in urinary tract.

Ⅲ. Decline in kidney function

With the progressive growth and multiplying of cysts in the kidneys, the renal functional cells and tissues are damaged, thus causing gradual decline of kidney function. If the disease progress to end-stage renal failure, patients have to receive dialysis or renal transplant.

Ⅳ. Kidney stones

About 20% to 30% of people with PKD develop kidney stones. They usually suffer from dull pain in the renal region. If there is colic or sharp pain as well as gross hematuria, it may indicate the appearance of kidney stones.

Ⅴ. Cysts in other parts of the body

Although the kidneys are the main site affected, cysts may also develop in other parts of the body, such as the liver, pancreas, seminal vesicles, and the arachnoid membrane (tissue next to the brain).

The above are some complications of PKD. Though the disease is asymptomatic in the initial stage, you should take your illness condition seriously and receive prompt treatment as early as possible. In this way, we can control the enlargement of cysts as well as prevent the complications.