British News Agency

Abdi İbrahim Otsuka stated, "Polycystic kidney disease may have no complaints and symptoms in some patients. In fact, in some patients, the disease may go unnoticed throughout their lives. However, in some patients, various complaints and symptoms may develop. As age advances, the risk of complaints and symptoms emerging increases. The most common ones among these are kidney (side) pain, bloody urine, signs of urinary tract infection, kidney stone formation, and high blood pressure."

"Kidney transplantation or dialysis is required before the age of 60."

Abdi İbrahim Otsuka pointed out that in some patients, there may be a gradual decrease in kidney functions over many years. He emphasized that in 5-10% of patients who require dialysis due to renal insufficiency or who have undergone kidney transplantation, the cause of renal insufficiency is polycystic kidney disease, stating, "In most patients, the need for kidney transplantation or dialysis arises before the average age of 60. Therefore, polycystic kidney disease is an important disease for individual and public health."

Since the risk of developing renal insufficiency is higher in individuals with high blood pressure, Abdi İbrahim Otsuka emphasized the importance of treating high blood pressure. He also warned that in kidney patients who smoke, kidney insufficiency develops more easily, so patients should definitely avoid smoking.

Abdi İbrahim Otsuka stated that in polycystic kidney disease, the risk of urinary tract infections and stone formation is higher than in normal individuals. "Sometimes, very severe pain can be experienced due to a stone formed in the urinary tract. In such cases, the patient should definitely apply to the nearest healthcare institution and indicate that they have polycystic kidney disease. To reduce this risk, it is recommended that patients increase their daily fluid intake," he said.

"It is possible to slow down the course of the disease."

Abdi İbrahim Otsuka emphasized that it is possible to significantly slow down the course of the disease by taking some measures, saying, "For example, lifestyle changes (appropriate diet, ideal weight of patients, increased water consumption, not smoking, etc.), or blood pressure control can slow down the course of the disease. In addition, with the development of treatments that prevent cyst formation or slow down the growth of cysts and prolong the course of the disease, the time until dialysis and kidney transplantation can also be extended."