Today 11th of March is World Kidney Day, a day that was created with the aim of raising awareness among the population so that they can detect any kidney disease early and when there is still time to solve the situation or to delay the inevitable.
On this occasion we have the collaboration of Dr. Sergio Bea Granell, a leading specialist in Nephrology at the QuirĂłn Hospital in Valencia, to explain some fundamental aspects of the kidneys and to talk to us about the relationship that seems to exist between COVID-19 and the kidneys.
The functions of the kidney
The kidney has multiple functions, the best known of which is to purify the blood of toxic substances, that is to say, it acts as a filter for substances that if they accumulate in our organism would be very harmful and could even lead to death. In addition to this function, it also has other functions such as regulating electrolytes (Ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, etc. are regulated by the kidney); and it is also responsible for regulating the amount of fluid in our body, which is why if the kidney does not work properly it can produce fluid accumulation and edema or swelling.
On the other hand, it regulates the acid-base balance and is responsible for controlling blood pressure, which is why nephrologists are specialists in the study and management of arterial hypertension. Finally, the kidney also has a hormonal role, as it is responsible for regulating the production of red blood cells through the production of erythropoietin and for activating vitamin D, whose role in bone metabolism is very important.
Main kidney pathologies, symptoms and how to prevent them
The kidney is affected by multiple pathologies that can lead to a slow and progressive deterioration of its function, known as chronic kidney disease. Among the most frequent pathologies that usually lead to this disease are:
- arterial hypertension
- diabetes mellitus
- dyslipidemia
- any cardiovascular disease
On the other hand, there are autoimmune diseases that affect the kidney such as:
- glomerulonephritis
- vasculitis
- lupus
- genetic diseases: polycystic kidney disease, Alport syndrome, etc.
In addition, the toxicity of some drugs can cause renal damage.
CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE AFFECTS TO A GREATER OR LESSER EXTENT 15% of the population over 18 years of age.
Renal patients in Spain
The latest data available to us estimate that in 2018 there was 15% of the population over 18 years of age affected to a greater or lesser extent by chronic kidney disease, which is similar data to that of diabetics, being a disease with an increasingly higher prevalence, due to the greater aging of the population.
Is there a relationship between COVID-19 and the kidneys?
There are more and more data supporting renal alterations associated with COVID19, such as acute deterioration of renal function, worsening of patients with chronic kidney disease, etc.
Although there are still only case series, everything suggests that COVID19 has some degree of renal involvement, so it is very important to maintain a good hydration status and good hemodynamic control of patients with COVID19.