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Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

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* Not a rare disease
Other Names for this Disease
  • ADPKD
  • Polycystic kidney disease, adult type
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Overview


Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. It is the most common inherited disorder of the kidneys. Symptoms usually develop between the ages of 30 and 40, but they can begin earlier, even in childhood. The most common symptoms are pain in the back and the sides and headaches. Other symptoms include liver and pancreatic cysts, urinary tract infections, abnormal heart valves, high blood pressure, kidney stones, brain aneurysms, and diverticulosis. About 90 percent of all cases of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.  Although there is no cure for ADPKD, treatment can ease symptoms and prolong life.[1]


References

  1. Polycystic Kidney Disease. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/polycystic/. Accessed June 22, 2011.
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General Information

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Medscape Reference has two articles on this topic from the perspective of Nephrology and Radiology. You may need to register to view the information online, but registration is free.
  • The National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) mission encompasses a broad range of studies aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease. Click on the link to view the information page on this topic.
  • The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), conducts and supports research on a broad spectrum of diseases affecting public health. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.