Kidney disease
self-assessment
Are your kidneys healthy?
People can have kidney disease without
being aware of it. There are often no symptoms until the disease is quite
advanced.
Research has shown that some people
are at higher risk of developing kidney disease and should have their kidney
function checked even if they feel well.
Take this test to find out if you
should have your kidney function checked.
QUESTIONS
The words in italics indicate possible
risk factors or symptoms of kidney disease and appear in the tool as a list on
the results page.
1.
Do you have diabetes?
Yes (2 points)
Diabetes: up to 40% of people with
diabetes will develop kidney disease so regular monitoring, at least annually,
is recommended.
No (0 points)
Information on diabetes
Diabetes
is a long-term condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar
(glucose). This is because a hormone called insulin is either absent from
the body, or not working properly. It can have serious health
consequences.
2.
Do you have or have you been treated for, high blood pressure?
a) Yes, I have high blood pressure but I'm not
being treated (2 points)
High
blood pressure: this can lead to kidney damage or, in some cases, be a sign of
kidney disease
b) Yes, I am being treated for high blood
pressure (2 points)
High
blood pressure: this can lead to kidney damage or, in some cases, be a sign of
kidney disease
c) No (0 points)
Information on high blood
pressure
High
blood pressure (hypertension) is usually defined as having a sustained blood
pressure of 140/90mmHg or above. If you have high blood pressure, your heart
has to work harder to pump blood around your body. Over time, this can weaken
it.
3.
Have you had any of the following circulation problems? (You can pick more than
one)
a) Angina (2 points)
Heart
disease: this may be associated with narrowing of the arteries that supply the
kidneys, which can cause kidney damage
b) Heart attack (2 points)
Heart
disease: this may be associated with narrowing of the arteries that supply the
kidneys, which can cause kidney damage
c) Stroke or mini stroke (2 points)
Stroke:
this may be associated with narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys,
which can cause kidney damage
d) Poor circulation in your legs (2 points)
Poor
circulation: pain in the leg muscles after walking a short distance may
indicate circulation problems that could be associated with kidney disease
e) Amputation due to poor circulation (2
points)
Poor
circulation: this may be associated with narrowing of the arteries that supply
the kidneys, which can cause kidney damage
f) Aortic aneurysm (2 points)
Aortic
aneurysm: this may be associated with narrowing of the arteries that supply the
kidneys, which can cause kidney damage
g) Heart failure (2 points)
Heart
disease: this may be associated with narrowing of the arteries that supply the
kidneys, which can cause kidney damage
h) None of these (0 points)
Information on circulation
disease
As
well as deep vein thrombosis, circulation disease in your legs includes
peripheral arterial disease. Symptoms for this include: pain and/or cramping in
your legs when you're walking; weakness or numbness in your legs; sores on your
feet or legs; changes in the skin colour of your legs; hair loss on your feet
or legs; and thicker toenails.
4.
Have you had any of the following? (You can pick more than one)
a) Multiple kidney stones (2 points)
Kidney
and urinary problems: these can cause scarring of the kidneys and result in
reduced kidney function
b) Multiple urine infections, for example three
or more in a six-month period (2 points)
Kidney
and urinary problems: these can cause scarring of the kidneys and result in
reduced kidney function
c) Kidney surgery (2 points)
Kidney
and urinary problems: these can cause scarring of the kidneys and result in
reduced kidney function
d) Enlarged prostate gland (2 points)
Kidney
and urinary problems: these can cause scarring of the kidneys and result in
reduced kidney function
e) Cancer of the prostate gland (2 points)
Kidney
and urinary problems: these can cause scarring of the kidneys and result in
reduced kidney function
f) Bladder cancer (2 points)
Kidney
and urinary problems: these can cause scarring of the kidneys and result in
reduced kidney function
g) None of these (0 points)
5.
Have you been diagnosed with any of the following? (You can pick more than one)
a) Systemic lupus erythematosis
(SLE) (2 points)
Systemic
lupus erythematosis: this can have a damaging effect
on different organs in the body including your kidneys
b) Multiple myeloma (2 points)
Multiple
myeloma: this can have a damaging effect on different organs in the body
including your kidneys
c) Rheumatoid arthritis (2 points)
Rheumatoid arthritis: this can have a
damaging effect on different organs in the body including your kidneys
d) Liver disease (2 points)
Liver
disease: this can have a damaging effect on different organs in the body
including your kidneys
e) Sickle cell disease (2 points)
Sickle
cell disease: this can have a damaging effect on different organs in the body
including your kidneys
f) HIV infection (2 points)
HIV:
this can have a damaging effect on different organs in the body including your
kidneys
g) None of these (0 points)
6.
Do you have a family history of kidney disease? (You can pick more than
one)
a) Parent or child who has a kidney disease that
may be inherited (2 points)
Family
history: some kidney diseases are caused by abnormalities in genes that may be
passed from one generation to the next.
b) Parent or
child who requires regular kidney dialysis (2 points)
Family
history: some kidney diseases are caused by abnormalities in genes that may be
passed from one generation to the next.
c) Parent or
child who has had a kidney transplant (2 points)
Family
history: some kidney diseases are caused by abnormalities in genes that may be
passed from one generation to the next.
d) No (0
points)
7. Have you ever had a urine test that
was positive for blood or protein?
a) Yes (2
points)
Abnormal
urine test: in some, but not all, cases this can be a sign of kidney disease so
it`s worth further investigation
b) No (0
points)
8. Are you taking any of the following
medications? (You can pick more than one)
a) Ciclosporin (2 points)
Drugs:
some of the drugs you`re taking cause kidney function to decrease slowly. If
you`re taking them over a long period you should ask for a kidney function
check annually
b) Tacrolimus (2 points)
Drugs:
some of the drugs you`re taking cause kidney function to decrease slowly. If
you`re taking them over a long period you should ask for a kidney function
check annually
c) Lithium (2
points)
Drugs:
some of the drugs you`re taking cause kidney function to decrease slowly. If
you`re taking them over a long period you should ask for a kidney function
check annually
d) Mesalazine (2 points)
Drugs:
some of the drugs you`re taking cause kidney function to decrease slowly. If
you`re taking them over a long period you should ask for a kidney function
check annually
e) Any
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (2 points)
Drugs:
some of the drugs you`re taking cause kidney function to decrease slowly. If
you`re taking them over a long period you should ask for a kidney function check
annually
f) None of
these (0 points)
Information
on anti-inflammatory drugs
The following are all non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs:
ANSWERS
0-1 points
Based on your responses today you are
at low risk of kidney disease and don't require any further tests.
Consider the following advice to help
keep your kidneys healthy in the future:
If your symptoms do change or you have
any concerns about your health, please call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or arrange
to see your GP.
1-12
points
Based on your responses today, if you have not had your kidney
function checked before, you should ask your GP about having a kidney function
test next time you have an appointment.
13-80 points
Based
on your responses today if you have not had your kidney function checked
before, you should make an appointment with your GP for a simple blood and
urine test.
USEFUL LINKS
More
information on kidney disease
Video:
Taking care of your kidneys
Help and
advice on eating healthily
Find out if
you`re a healthy weight
Go to Kidney Research UK`s
website
NHS Choices 2011