CKD prevention: Perspectives in Hong Kong

Abstract

Hong Kong experiences a progressive rise in the prevalence of treated end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) as recorded by the Hong Kong Renal Registry managed by the Hospital Authority (HA) that takes care of 90 – 95% of the ESRD burden. The CKD burden is envisaged to be high, as reflected by 2 initiatives – SHARE which detected a high prevalence of urine or blood pressure abnormalities among 1,201 asymptomatic individuals who underwent screening, and RISKS that aimed to further characterize the spread of CKD in the asymptomatic population.

For CKD prevention, two statutory bodies – the HA and Hong Kong College of Physicians (HKCP), and two non‐governmental organizations – Hong Kong Society of Nephrology (HKSN) and Hong Kong Kidney Foundation (HKKF), all have a role to play. The Central Renal Committee (CRC) operated under HA co‐produces with HKCP and HKSN a clinical practice guideline for the provision of renal service in Hong Kong which includes CKD care and prevention. HKSN now holds annual educational symposia and a Continuous Medical Education (CME) course in partnership with the HKCP and Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology in addition to its Annual Scientific Meeting. The HKSN also provides a collective International Society of Nephrology (ISN) membership for all its full members to enhance education and other pertinent initiatives.

For public education, the HKSN and HKKF participate in the annual World Kidney Day event and organize free blood pressure and CKD surveys in public housing estates to increase public awareness of CKD. The latter is also effected via regular promotion through the mass media.