Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Based on an estimated population prevalence of between 1 in 400 and 1 in 1000, there are over 60,000 individuals with or at risk of developing complications associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in the United Kingdom. This equates to over 300,000 people in the United States and 7 million worldwide. Once diagnosed, an individual with ADPKD will require long-term medical follow-up and treatment with an unknown cost to national health care systems. A major proportion, probably two-thirds, will develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy—dialysis or transplantation. ADPKD is therefore the commonest genetic cause of ESRD. Most centres worldwide report that approximately one in ten patients receiving dialysis therapy have a diagnosis of ADPKD. Improvements in healthcare for individuals with ADPKD will therefore impact directly on patients, their families, and healthcare resources.