The proportion of people on dialysis in Malta is one of the highest in Europe, according to a local expert.

About 230 people are receiving dialysis, a form of therapy for chronic kidney disease. The figure was described by renal consultant Joe Farrugia Agius as “very high” for the size of the population.

Among the reasons for this is that Malta does not “ration” its dialysis patients and the therapy is offered to everyone independent of age, he explained. Also, the incidence of diabetes, which is a cause of kidney failure, is high locally and may contribute to the number of people needing dialysis.

“The Maltese are also well screened as a population and so it (kidney failure) doesn’t get missed,” he said, pointing out that the disease is painless and rarely gets diagnosed through symptoms alone.

Worldwide, the incidence of chronic kidney failure is on the rise due to better awareness and screening for the disease, and because conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are becoming more prevalent.

“We have an aging population. Therefore, even though with treatment you can slow the progression of things like diabetic nephropathy (kidney failure due to diabetes), living longer means it’s more likely you’ll reach a stage where you’ll have end stage renal failure.”

People are not generally aware of the disease because it is usually silent and, more often than not, it is diagnosed incidentally when people carry out a blood or urine test for some other condition. Very occasionally, people do present the symptoms that appear in what is called “the end stage” of the disease but this is the exception and not the rule.

“Unless you screen for it you don’t know you’ve got it,” said Dr Farrugia Agius, pointing out that screening involves both blood and urine tests.

As part of World Kidney Day, Vivian Corporation will be holding a Fun-Walk themed Protect Your Kidneys, Save Your Heart tomorrow to raise awareness about the disease that affects some 600 million people worldwide.

The group will be meeting at 9.30 a.m. near the Independence statue in Floriana and walk to the Sliema Ferries. To join the walk call 2132 0338, drop an e-mail to info@viviancorp.com or visit Facebook page World Kidney Day Malta 2011.

Participants are asked to donate €10 or more, which will go to the Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital.