Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Bach, Head of the Nephrology - Dialysis Department at Thong Nhat Hospital (TP HCM), stated that kidney failure was previously common in older adults, primarily due to diabetes and high blood pressure. However, there is now an increasing number of individuals aged 17 to 45 suffering from chronic kidney disease, with IgA nephropathy being the leading cause.

IgA nephropathy occurs when IgA antibodies deposit in the glomeruli, damaging their filtering function. The disease often appears after transient episodes of sore throat or flu, particularly in individuals with sensitive predispositions or genetic factors.

"Glomerulonephritis often has no clear symptoms. If overlooked, it will silently progress to end-stage kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant", the doctor explained, adding that early detection allows for stable treatment, and sometimes even complete recovery.

Dialysis patients at Thong Nhat Hospital. Photo: Phung Tien

Statistics from Thong Nhat Hospital indicate that among nearly 1,000 kidney biopsies, involving over 300 young patients, IgA kidney disease was the primary cause, accounting for about 70% of cases. Not everyone who experiences a sore throat will develop glomerulonephritis. However, according to Doctor Bach, in tropical climates like Vietnam, upper respiratory tract infections are common, which increases this risk. Therefore, maintaining nose and throat hygiene, completely treating sore throats, and regular screening are crucial.

The simplest and most effective way to detect kidney disease early is through a routine urine test once a year, costing only about 35,000 VND. The results can reveal a small amount of protein or red blood cells in the urine, which are early signs of glomerulonephritis that most patients do not recognize.

"I often joke with patients that a urine test once a year costs less than a cup of milk tea, but it can detect kidney disease early for timely treatment in the initial stage", the doctor shared.

Associate Professor, Doctor Le Dinh Thanh, Director of Thong Nhat Hospital, emphasized that chronic kidney disease is a leading risk factor among non-communicable chronic diseases. A free community screening program conducted by the hospital last year found that about 9,8% of working-age individuals had underlying kidney disease but no symptoms. If not screened and treated early, the disease silently progresses to end-stage kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant, leading to severe consequences for patients, their families, and society.

Le Phuong