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Polycystic Kidney Disease
Alternate Names : ADPKD, Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cysts - Kidneys, Kidney - Polycystic
DefinitionPolycystic kidney disease is an inherited kidney disorder that enlarges the kidneys and interferes with their function because of multiple cysts on the kidneys.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disorder (with autosomal dominant inheritance -- if one parent carries the gene, the children have a 50% chance of developing the disorder) where multiple clusters of cysts form on the kidneys. The exact mechanism that triggers cyst formation is unknown.
Cysts in the kidneys are associated with aneurysms of the blood vessels in the brain. They may be associated with diverticula of the colon, and with cysts in the liver, pancreas, and testes. As many as 50% of people with polycystic kidney disease also have cysts on the liver.
In early stages of the disease, the cysts enlarge the kidney and interfere with kidney function, resulting in chronic high blood pressure and kidney infections. The cysts may cause the kidneys to increase production of erythropoietin (the hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells) resulting in increased number of red blood cells, rather than the expected anemia. Bleeding into a cyst can cause flank pain. Kidney stones are more common than in people without the disorder. Hypertension caused by polycystic kidneys may be difficult to control.
The disease is slowly progressive, eventually resulting in end-stage kidney failure. It is also associated with liver disease, including infection of liver cysts. An autosomal recessive form of polycystic kidney disease also exists and appears in infancy or childhood; it tends to be very serious and progresses rapidly, resulting in end-stage kidney failure and generally causing death in infancy or childhood.
Autosomal dominant PKD occurs in both children and adults, but it is much more common in adults, often not presenting symptoms until middle age. It affects nearly 1 in 1,000 Americans. The actual number may be more, as some people do not have symptoms. The disorder may not be discovered unless procedures showing the disease are performed for other reasons.
Risks include a personal or family history of polycystic kidney disease.
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Definition Polycystic Kidney Disease Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors Polycystic Kidney Disease Symptoms & Signs Polycystic Kidney Disease Diagnosis & Tests Polycystic Kidney Disease Treatment Polycystic Kidney Disease Prognosis Polycystic Kidney Disease Complications Polycystic Kidney Disease Support Groups Calling Your Health Care Provider
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Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
Acute Kidney Failure Anemia Aneurysm Aortic Insufficiency Diverticulitis End-Stage Kidney Disease Hypertension Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) Liver Disease Mitral Regurgitation - Acute Nephrolithiasis Urinary Tract Infection
Tests & Exams
Abdominal CT Scan Abdominal MRI Abdominal Ultrasound CBC Cerebral Angiography Dialysis Erythropoietin Hematocrit (HCT) Intravenous Pyelogram Protein - Urine Urinalysis
Other Topics
Abdominal Pain Cysts Drowsiness Flank Pain Heart Murmurs and Other Sounds Hepatomegaly High Blood Pressure Joint Pain Kidney Disease - Resources Menstruation - Painful Nail Abnormalities Resources Stress and Anxiety Systemic Testes Urination - Excessive at Night Urine - Bloody
Review Date : 10/17/2003
Reviewed By : Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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