According to nephrologist Ahsan Alam, a doctor at the Royal Victoria Hospital, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the fourth most common cause of kidney failure.
It is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys.
Autosomal dominant PKD is the most common inherited form, while autosomal recessive PKD is a rare.
People born with the disease develop cysts in the kidney, which then spreads to the liver.
“Life is constant urinary tract infections, kidney infections, cyst that rupture, [it’s] constant pain,” said PKD Foundation of Canada coordinator Luisa Miniaci-Di Leo.
There is no existing cure for PKD.
PKD: and its Effect on Other Organs conference will be held Friday, Oct. 28 at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre Theatre.