Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate: these are the main symptoms of anemia, one of the most frequent complications of chronic kidney disease. It affects one in 71 patients and, for patients not yet diagnosed, represents an important alarm bell about the presence of the disease. A condition that has a major impact on quality of life, but often not recognized or underestimated by patients with chronic kidney disease, a global public health emergency affecting 1 in 10 people worldwide, with prevalence and mortality nearly doubled in last 30 years.
Do not underestimate thechronic kidney disease anemia and contacting the doctor at the first signs is the message of the information campaign “Anemia? Don’t wait, act “, promoted by Astellas Italia. It shares the objectives of the Aned initiative, the National Association of Hemodialysis Dialysis and Transplantation Onlus. An invitation not to resign oneself to the sense of tiredness and weakness, to get up from the sofa – real and metaphorical – and to take action, talking about it with your nephrologist, for patients with kidney disease. But also an invitation to patients not yet diagnosed, so that they do not neglect the symptoms that could favor the early identification and timely diagnosis of the disease.
“Chronic renal failure is a very insidious disease, because it is almost totally asymptomatic: we all have to take care of our kidneys even if they do not make themselves felt – declares Giuseppe Vanacore, president Aned – Moreover, in the most serious stages other diseases are associated, including chronic kidney disease anemia, which is often diagnosed late. In fact, there is still little information on the correlation between these two diseases, and in particular on the possibility of resorting to multidisciplinary management to improve conditions and delay their progression . By working on information and awareness it is possible to notice the disease in time and to intervene promptly “.
The stories of coexistence with the disease, the testimonies of those who have not given up and decided to act to tackle chronic kidney disease anemia, are at the center of the “Tales from the sofa” which represent the central element of the campaign: a sofa, or rather four different sofas, from which the patients and the nephrologist tell their experience. An innovative social video format, with an intimate and engaging storytelling, introduced and accompanied by the comment of an exceptional testimonial, the volleyball champion and tv commentator Maurizia Cacciatori.
“In my career I have celebrated many victories – declares Cacciatori – but like all athletes I have also known defeats: sport teaches us not to be compliant or defeatist, but to always start again, to get up when we are on the ground, to act and react . In the stories of people living with chronic kidney disease anemia I have seen this great determination: I am very happy to have participated in this initiative, which I hope will be useful for many people to improve their health “.
Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is lower than normal. If the red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin, a protein containing iron and specialized in the transport of oxygen, decrease, the tissues do not “breathe” enough, and this can cause weakness and tiredness. Patients with chronic kidney disease are particularly at risk of anemia because when the kidneys are not functioning well they do not produce enough erythropoietin (Epo), a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. The diagnosis of anemia usually occurs through some tests performed on a blood sample: hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin saturation (Tsat), analysis of vitamin B12 and folate levels. These tests may be repeated at regular intervals to monitor for anemia and response to treatment.
“Anemia might seem like a trivial disorder for a patient with chronic kidney disease – explains Giuseppe Grandaliano, full professor of Nephrology at the Catholic Sacred Heart University of Rome and director of the Nephrology Foundation Policlinico Irccs Gemelli in Rome – while significantly impacting the patient’s quality of life. , with easy fatigue and difficulty in carrying out normal daily activities. However, today we know that anemia is a very important risk factor for the cardiovascular mortality of these patients and therefore should not be underestimated. Furthermore, very often the associated symptoms to anemia can be a first alarm bell for a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. It is very important that the patient contact the nephrologist, who has the skills to deal with this complication, promptly intervening, where necessary, with specific therapy that may increase hemoglobin levels “.
All the useful information on chronic kidney disease anemia is available on the campaign website: how it manifests itself, how it is diagnosed, how it can be treated. Patients can consult and download an infographic with the most important information and advice to best deal with the disease, and a quiz with some questions is available to learn more about the symptoms of anemia and understand if you may be at risk of anemia due to chronic kidney disease. The episodes of the “Tales from the sofa” will be published online on the campaign website www.anemiadamalattiarenale.iyou on the Aned Facebook page.
“Responsibility and sensitivity: these are the key words behind our decision to promote the ‘Anemia? Don’t wait, act’ campaign. The population and patients – comments Giuseppe Maduri, Astellas Italia CEO – must be helped to understand how to stay healthy health through prevention and information. A responsibility, directly linked to sensitivity, which we must never lose sight of. For a company like Astellas it is a duty to take care of health starting from listening to the experience and needs of patients, with interventions that go beyond the drug “.
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