Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to be 8% to 16% worldwide and 8.9% in the general population of Thailand. There is minimal information about prevalence of CKD among family members of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of CKD among first-degree relatives of dialysis patients in Thailand.

Materials and Methods: The present observational study was conducted in first degree relatives of dialysis patients at the Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute. Participants aged between 18 and 60 years old were enrolled for CKD screening. CKD was defined by the KDIGO criteria.

Results: One hundred seventy-nine participants were enrolled. The average age was 45.9±9.9 years and the average eGFR was 103.3±13 ml/minute/1.73 m². The median urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) was 7 (2 to 985) mg/g Cr. The prevalence of combined CKD stages 1 and 2 was 6.2%. Factors associated with CKD were diabetes, history of using non-steroidal antiin flammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and history of using angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACEI)/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD among the first-degree relatives of dialysis patients was 6.2%. Early screening of early CKD and prevention program including education should be introduced to this group of people.

Keywords: Prevalence, Chronic kidney disease, Urine albumin creatinine ratio, Hemodialysis, First degree relative