What complications can polycystic kidney disease lead to?

With the progression of polycystic kidney disease (PKD), patients may also develop various complications associated with the disease. Therefore, it is crucial for PKD patients to recognize the significant harmfulness of their condition and strive to control its progression as early as possible. What complications can PKD lead to? Let's delve into the details below.

1. Kidney Stones and Renal Calcification

When there is an increase in pain, severe colic, or gross hematuria, the possibility of concurrent stones should be considered.

2. Malignant Transformation of Cysts

When patients experience pain in the renal region, changes in the pattern of hematuria, weight loss, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia disproportionate to renal function, or polycythemia, they should be alert to the possibility of concurrent renal cancer. Timely examination, including renal angiography if necessary, should be conducted.

3. Urinary Tract Infections

These include cystitis, pyelonephritis, cyst infections, and perirenal abscesses. For women, urinary tract instrumentation is a risk factor. The presence of leukocyte casts in urine and a rapid response to conventional antibiotic therapy favor the diagnosis of pyelonephritis. Positive blood cultures and localized tenderness suggest cyst infections, and infectious cysts may be identified.

What complications can polycystic kidney disease lead to? The above content has provided relevant introductions regarding this question, and we believe you now have a deeper understanding. Improper treatment of PKD can lead to a series of complications, exacerbate the patient's condition, and make treatment more difficult. Therefore, in the early stages of PKD, patients should prioritize the management of their condition.