The theme of this years World Kidney Day - 'Protect Your Kidneys- Control Diabetes' is a wakeup call for every one because diabetes represents the leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and kidney failure worldwide.

Experts caution that the threat from diabetic kidney disease is more serious than even cancer and cardiac diseases and unless efforts are undertaken to prevent or reduce cases of diabetes and appropriate health intervention made accessible, it can lead to increased burden on society and individuals in the times to come.

"Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive disease and may occur in at least 30-40 per cent of all diabetics," said Dr V S Reddy, consultant nephrologist, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. "Since most people living with kidney disease often do not know they are affected until their kidneys actually begin to fail, it is important to undergo simple health screening tests early on." It is estimated that 40-50 percent of chronic kidney diseases requiring dialysis or transplant is due to diabetes alone and one-third of diabetics develop kidney disease in 15-20 years.

Every year 200 new kidney cases per million of End Stage Renal Disease are added and a sizeable number undergo dialysis or transplant thus exerting additional pressure to the existing healthcare infrastructure which is already facing shortage of doctors as well as treatment centers.

Says Dr Rajsekara Chakravarthi, chief Nephrologist, Care Hospitals, "The likelihood of getting kidney diseases depends on risk factors that includes diabetes, hypertension, family history of diabetic kidney disease, and certain drugs such as painkillers.

"The first step towards better control of diabetic kidney disease needs to be aimed at prevention. Adds Dr Chakravarti, "Healthy lifestyle choices that include diet, medication and lifestyle adjustments can postpone and sometimes even prevent the need for dialysis."