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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys. Cysts are noncancerous round sacs containing water-like fluid.
Polycystic kidney disease isn't limited to your kidneys, although the kidneys usually are the most severely affected organs. The disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body.
A common complication of polycystic kidney disease is high blood pressure. Kidney failure is another common problem for people with polycystic kidney disease.
Polycystic kidney disease varies greatly in its severity, and some complications are preventable. Lifestyle changes and medical treatments may help reduce damage to your kidneys from complications, such as high blood pressure.
- Polycystic kidney disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pdf/PKD.pdf/. Accessed May 19, 2011.
- Polycystic kidney disease. Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/polycystic.pdf . Accessed May 19, 2011.
- Gaurel L. Renal cystic disease. Ultrasound Clinics. 2010;5:15.
- Grantham JJ. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:1477.
- Salant DJ, et al. Polycystic kidney disease and other inherited tubular disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2874530. Accessed May 19, 2011.
- Chanda R, et al. Hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease. Current Hypertension Reports. 2009;11:329.
- Your guide to lowering high blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2011.
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