Black and south Asian people are three to five times more likely to have kidney failure than white people, but many are unaware of the condition.
Black and south Asian people are more likely to develop kidney problems because they are more likely to have diabetes and high blood pressure than the general population. These are both common causes of kidney disease.
Kidney Research UK is a national charity that raises awareness of kidney disease among black and south Asian communities.
"Many black and south Asian people know about the higher prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure in their communities, but they don’t realise the direct link between these conditions and kidney failure,
" says Kidney Research UK’s Neerja Jain. "Kidney disease is also more likely to be progressive (worsen to the point of kidney failure) in some black and Asian groups,
" she says.
"South Asian patients with diabetes are 10 times more likely to go on to have kidney failure than white Caucasians with diabetes,
" says Neerja. "So it’s vital that diabetes and blood pressure in this group is well-controlled to reduce the likelihood of complications such as kidney damage.
"
Should you be tested?
You're at higher risk of kidney disease if you're black or south Asian and also have:
If you're at higher risk, visit your GP and ask to be examined for kidney disease. This will involve measuring your blood pressure and having a urine and blood test to see how well your kidneys are working. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you should be routinely tested anyway.
Kidney Research UK’s A Better Life through Education and Empowerment (ABLE) project has helpful leaflets and DVDs in several different languages about kidney disease in black and ethnic minority groups. For more information about ABLE contact Neerja Jain, project manager, on 0121 244 0272 or email neerjajain@kidneyresearchuk.org.
