WORLD KIDNEY DAY 2013, ACUTE RENAL INJURY, A GLOBAL HEALTH WARNING

World Kidney Day (WKD) is held each year in March to raise attentiveness of the importance of the kidneys to overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of renal disease and its associated health problems global. This day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. The 8th WKD on March 14, 2013, will be celebrated. WKD in 2013 is focusing on acute kidney injury (AKI) with the theme; acute kidney injury; stop kidney attack. It is evident that, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are the most common causes of chronic renal failure in developed and developing countries (1,2). The prevalence of renal disease is increasing dramatically and the cost of treating this growing epidemic represents an enormous burden on healthcare systems throughout the world (1-3). Acute renal failure is characterized by sudden decrease in kidney function by decrease in glomerular filtration rate, accompanied by accumulation of nitrogenous waste products and the incapability to maintain fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, which usually followed by decrease in urine output and some specific clinical presentations, that is highly linked to increased early and long term morbidity and mortality of patients (1-5). WKD sought to raise awareness of the importance of the kidneys to the overall health of the population and to reduce the frequency and impact of renal disease and its associated health problems throughout the world. Acute renal failure is increasingly prevalent in developing and developed countries and is accompanied by severe morbidity and mortality. Most etiologies of acute renal failure can be prevented by interventions at the individual, community, regional and in-hospital levels. Kidney disease is common, insidious and treatable (2-7). Hence, effective assesses should consist community-wide efforts to increase an alertness of the devastating effects of acute renal failure and provide guidance on preventive strategies, and also fast recognition and management. Implication for health policy/practice/research/ medical education In 2013 World Kidney Day will focus on acute kidney injury as a global health warning. In this year, the World Kidney Day committee aimed to alert the worldwide increase in acute kidney injury.