Balkan Nephropathy

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What is Balkan Nephropathy?

Balkan Nephropathy is a disease of the kidneys.

Who gets Balkan Nephropathy?

This condition only occurs within an isolated region surrounding the Danube River in Europe. Only those people who reside in the low-lying plains surrounding the river are affected. It is thought that the drinking the water from shallow wells in this region is associated with the development of disease.

Predisposing Factors

The only known risk factor is being in residence in the region surrounding the Danube River.

Progression

The onset of the disease is gradual, starting with the loss of small amounts of protein in the urine. This is called proteinuria and is a common early feature of many kidney diseases. The condition will then progress at a variable rate, causing renal failure over a period of three months to ten years. Over the course of the illness, patients are at increased risk of developing tumours of their urinary tract, which may be cancerous.

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