Delhi hospital sets up polycystic kidney disease foundation

The Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Wednesday launched the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation of India, ahead of the World Kidney Day that would be observed March 13.

Aimed at increasing awareness about the disease, the foundation will provide information, advice and support to those affected.

"Through the foundation, genetic testing will be provided on complimentary basis and finances will be raised to fund research. This will help in finding a cure for PKD," said PKD Foundation chairman D.S. Rana.

PKD is a group of disorders that result from the formation and enlargement of cysts in the kidneys.

Foundation secretary I.C. Verma said PKD was the world's most common "inherited disorder".

"It is twice as common as multiple sclerosis and affects more people than muscular dystrophy, haemophilia, Down's syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Its frequency ranges from one in 800 to one in 1,000 people. Almost 10 lakh individuals in India have Autosomal Dominant PKD," he said.

Rana said the disease causes five percent of end-stage renal disease in India.

If either of the parents has ADPKD, there is a 50 percent chance that the child will inherit the disease, he added.