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2010-03-02 China Times
By Lü Suli / Kaohsiung Report
Couples who live together for a long time often influence each other's habits, even to the point of developing similar illnesses. A study by Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital found that spouses of uremia patients, due to shared lifestyle, diet, and medication habits, face a 2.8 times higher risk of developing kidney disease compared to the general population. This marks the world's first research focusing on the spouses of uremia patients, with findings published in the February issue of the *American Journal of Kidney Diseases*.
Dr. Cai Zhejia, a nephrologist at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, noted that Taiwan's high uremia rates have prompted numerous studies on diabetes screening for relatives. However, no prior research had examined relatives of uremia patients. Thus, the hospital's team conducted the first screening study on first- and second-degree relatives of uremia patients.
**Living Together, Sharing Habits**
He explained that many Taiwanese have a tendency to overuse medication, with some elderly couples even sharing prescriptions—husbands obtaining medicine for their wives to take as well. This led the team to include spouses, who live closely with patients but share no blood relation, in the screening—a global first in medical research.
The study involved 178 uremia patients, 196 relatives, and 95 spouses. For accuracy, 577 non-uremic individuals of similar ages were included as a control group. Over a year, urine samples were collected for kidney disease screening, yielding groundbreaking results published in a top-tier U.S. nephrology journal.
**Family Clustering Observed**
The study revealed that blood relatives of patients had a 2.6 times higher risk of kidney disease, while spouses faced an even greater risk of 2.8 times.
Dr. Cai stated that the findings indicate a clustering effect of chronic kidney disease among close relatives and, for the first time, confirmed that spouses of uremia patients may become high-risk due to shared unhealthy habits.
For example, Mr. Chen, 56, has been on dialysis for over five years. His two daughters were diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and have since undergone kidney transplants. His wife was also diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and is undergoing treatment.
**Including Spouses in Prevention Plans**
Dr. Cai noted that these high-risk spouses, married for an average of 20–30 years, often adopt similar lifestyles. He recommended that individuals with a family history of kidney disease undergo screening, and spouses of patients should also be included in prevention programs.
Professor Huang Shangzhi, also chair of the Taiwan Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Disease Prevention Committee, added that while Taiwan leads the world in dialysis incidence and prevalence, recent efforts have led to a decline in new cases over the past two years.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ 2……0302+112010030200057,00. html
Spouses of Uremia Patients Face 2.8x Higher Kidney Disease Risk
By Lü Suli / Kaohsiung Report
Couples who live together for a long time often influence each other's habits, even to the point of developing similar illnesses. A study by Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital found that spouses of uremia patients, due to shared lifestyle, diet, and medication habits, face a 2.8 times higher risk of developing kidney disease compared to the general population. This marks the world's first research focusing on the spouses of uremia patients, with findings published in the February issue of the *American Journal of Kidney Diseases*.
Dr. Cai Zhejia, a nephrologist at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, noted that Taiwan's high uremia rates have prompted numerous studies on diabetes screening for relatives. However, no prior research had examined relatives of uremia patients. Thus, the hospital's team conducted the first screening study on first- and second-degree relatives of uremia patients.
**Living Together, Sharing Habits**
He explained that many Taiwanese have a tendency to overuse medication, with some elderly couples even sharing prescriptions—husbands obtaining medicine for their wives to take as well. This led the team to include spouses, who live closely with patients but share no blood relation, in the screening—a global first in medical research.
The study involved 178 uremia patients, 196 relatives, and 95 spouses. For accuracy, 577 non-uremic individuals of similar ages were included as a control group. Over a year, urine samples were collected for kidney disease screening, yielding groundbreaking results published in a top-tier U.S. nephrology journal.
**Family Clustering Observed**
The study revealed that blood relatives of patients had a 2.6 times higher risk of kidney disease, while spouses faced an even greater risk of 2.8 times.
Dr. Cai stated that the findings indicate a clustering effect of chronic kidney disease among close relatives and, for the first time, confirmed that spouses of uremia patients may become high-risk due to shared unhealthy habits.
For example, Mr. Chen, 56, has been on dialysis for over five years. His two daughters were diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and have since undergone kidney transplants. His wife was also diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and is undergoing treatment.
**Including Spouses in Prevention Plans**
Dr. Cai noted that these high-risk spouses, married for an average of 20–30 years, often adopt similar lifestyles. He recommended that individuals with a family history of kidney disease undergo screening, and spouses of patients should also be included in prevention programs.
Professor Huang Shangzhi, also chair of the Taiwan Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Disease Prevention Committee, added that while Taiwan leads the world in dialysis incidence and prevalence, recent efforts have led to a decline in new cases over the past two years.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ 2……0302+112010030200057,00. html