Around 80,000 people in Cyprus are living with chronic kidney disease, with experts warning that between 30 and 40 per cent may be unaware they have the condition.
Health specialists say this means thousands of people could already have impaired kidney function without a diagnosis, medical monitoring or access to early interventions that could slow the progression of the disease.
Silent condition
Chronic kidney disease is often described as a “silent” condition because it can develop over many years without noticeable symptoms. When diagnosed at an advanced stage, however, it can have serious consequences extending beyond the kidneys themselves.
The disease is closely linked to diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiorenal and metabolic complications.
Highlighting the scale of the issue, the president of the Cyprus Society of Nephrology, Dr Andreas Kourouklaris, stressed the need to identify patients who remain undiagnosed. Figures presented by specialists suggest that chronic kidney disease affects a significant proportion of the population rather than a small group of patients.
High risk individuals
Despite its potentially serious impact, experts emphasised that initial screening is straightforward. Diagnosis can be made through two basic tests — a blood test and a urine test — which can reveal impaired kidney function or signs of kidney damage and enable timely medical intervention.
The president of the Cyprus Society of Internal Medicine, Dr Andreas Stylianou, underscored the role of primary care physicians and the importance of preventive screening, particularly among people considered to be at higher risk.
These groups include individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of cardiovascular disease or other chronic risk factors.
Prevention
Meanwhile, the president of the Cyprus Diabetes Association, Dr Polykarpos Evripidou, highlighted the close relationship between chronic kidney disease and diabetes, which remains one of the leading risk factors for kidney damage.
He said regular monitoring of patients with diabetes is essential, as early diagnosis can significantly influence the course of the disease and improve long-term outcomes.
The link between kidney and heart health was also highlighted by the president of the Cyprus Cardiology Society, Dr Kyriakos Yiangou, who noted that kidney, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases do not operate in isolation but are closely interconnected and often influence one another.
The specialists called for greater public awareness and preventive screening, arguing that early detection remains one of the most effective tools in reducing the long-term health burden associated with chronic kidney disease.
