Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a progressive, genetic disorder of the kidneys. PKD is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts in both kidneys. The disease can also damage the liver, pancreas, and rarely, the heart and brain. The two major forms of polycystic kidney disease are distinguished by their patterns of inheritance.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is generally a late-onset disorder characterized by progressive cyst development and bilaterally enlarged kidneys with multiple cysts. Kidney manifestations in this disorder include renal function abnormalities, hypertension, renal pain, and renal insufficiency. Approximately 50% of patients with ADPKD have end-stage renal disease by the age of 60. ADPKD is, however, a systemic disease with cysts in other organs such as the liver, seminal vesicles, pancreas, and arachnoid mater and non-cystic abnormalities such as intracranial aneurysms and dolichoectasias, dilatation of the aortic root and dissection of the thoracic aorta, mitral valve prolapse, and abdominal wall hernias.

Initial simian and human symptoms are hypertension, fatigue, and mild to severe back or flank pain and urinary tract infections. The disease often leads to chronic renal failure and may result in total loss of kidney function, known as end stage renal disease, which requires some form of renal replacement therapy.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is much rarer than ADPKD and is often lethal. The signs and symptoms of the condition are usually apparent at birth or in early infancy.

...More at Wikipedia  

Related Links:

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• PKD Foundation

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