Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive health care issue that is increasing the burden on patients and the health care system. In different research studies, it was concluded that relatives of patients suffering from CKD are at greater risk of developing kidney problems and being diagnosed with CKD, so the early diagnosis of CKD in an at-risk population was evaluated by screening the close family relatives of CKD patients. It was a cross-sectional screening study conducted at the Nephrology Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, from September 2015 to January 2017. A total of 200 close relatives (58% male and 42% female) of CKD patients were enrolled and screened for medical history, physical examination (weight, height, and BMI), and clinical investigations such as urine analysis, serum creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated by the Cock Graft-Gault equation for assessment of renal functions. We observed that albuminuria was high in 33% of relatives of CKD patients, mostly affecting first-degree relatives (20.5%) as compared to second-degree relatives (2.5%). A family history of diabetes was present in 58 (29%) relatives; hypertension in 42 (21%); glomerulonephritis (GN) in 26 (13%); and 74 patients (37%) with tuberculosis (TB), Autosomal Dominant Polycystic kidney disease, and stone diseases. Relatives of CKD patients were diagnosed with high albuminuria in DM (36.2%) as compared to HTN (35.8%) and GN (27.0%). For the final diagnosis, albuminuria and CrCl were monitored, and abnormalities were found in 26.5% of relatives of CKD patients. It was concluded from our study that screened relatives of CKD patients are at higher risk of kidney problems in the future, especially patients suffering from DM, HTN, and GN.

Pooran Mal is currently working as Chairman and Associate Professor, Department of Nephrology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Science Jamshoro. He graduated from LUMHS and later completed his post-graduation degree in FCPS Nephrology from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan. He is an active member of the Pakistan Society of Nephrology. He has many national and international publications.