Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO0104

Population-Based Characteristics of Individuals with Polycystic Kidney Disease at Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada

Session Information

• ADPKD and Cystic Kidney Disease - 3
  October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys

• 1201 Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys: Cystic (Monogenic)

Authors

• Comeau, Will Douglas, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Will Douglas Comeau, MD

• Tungsanga, Somkanya, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Somkanya Tungsanga, MD, PhD

• Ye, Feng, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Feng Ye, MS

• Okpechi, Ikechi G., University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Ikechi G. Okpechi, MBBS, PhD

• Ghimire, Anukul, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Anukul Ghimire, MD, MS, FASN

• Bello, Aminu K., University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Aminu K. Bello, MD, PhD, FASN

Background

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a major inherited cause of kidney failure worldwide. Population-level data describing individuals living with PKD in Canada remain limited. We aimed to characterize the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics of a large population-based PKD cohort in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with PKD identified between May 1, 2002 and March 31, 2021 using linked provincial administrative health databases. PKD was identified using ICD-10-CA (Q61.1, Q61.2, Q61.3) or ICD-9 (753.1) diagnostic codes from hospitalization, ambulatory care, emergency department, and physician claims data. The index date for inclusion was defined as the date of the first recorded PKD diagnosis. Individuals receiving chronic dialysis or kidney transplantation prior to cohort entry were excluded. Baseline kidney function, proteinuria, hematuria, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory parameters were assessed within 18 months before index.

Results

The cohort included 6,426 individuals, of whom 55.5% were female, with a median age of 53.4 years (IQR 38.2–67.3). Most lived within 50 km of a nephrology center (74.1%), while 18.2% resided >100 km away. Median baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 82.8 mL/min/1.73m² (IQR 58.3–100.9). Overall, 59.3% had preserved kidney function (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m²), while 6.1% had advanced CKD (eGFR ≤30 mL/min/1.73m²). Moderate or severe proteinuria was present in 14.4%, and hematuria in 10.1%. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (50.7%), followed by coronary artery disease (18.1%), kidney stones (15.6%), chronic pulmonary disease (13.9%), diabetes (13.6%), and depression (11.6%). Among patients with medication data available, 35.9% were receiving ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, while 24.2% were prescribed statins.

Conclusion

In this large contemporary Canadian PKD cohort, substantial heterogeneity existed in kidney function, cardiovascular risk burden, and access to nephrology care. A significant proportion of patients had hypertension, proteinuria, and advanced CKD at diagnosis, highlighting opportunities for early detection, risk stratification, and optimization of kidney-protective therapies. These findings provide important real-world data to inform clinical care pathways, health system planning, and future research.

Funding

• Commercial Support – Otsuka Pharmaceuticals