#Ask the Doctor

with Dr. Leslie Spry, MD, FACP

Are you concerned about yourself, a friend or family member? Ask away. Dr. Leslie Spry is happy to provide answers to all your questions. Check back soon for answers!

Leslie Spry, MD, FACP

Dr. Spry is an active member of the Public Policy Committee at the National Kidney Foundation, which is dedicated to developing policies on health care issues that affect kidney patients, transplant recipients and organ and tissue donors. Dr. Spry received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska and his nephrology training at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Q: How common is CKD?

A: Some 26 million Americans (13 percent of the U.S. adult population) suffer from CKD a figure experts predict will rise due to high obesity rates (1/3 of all adults), the link between obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure (all risk factors) and the aging of the Baby Boom generation (since age is another risk factor for CKD). Young and middle-aged adults can also develop CKD.

Q: What are the risk factors of CKD?

A: Primary risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, a family history of kidney failure and age over 60. Secondary risk factors include obesity, autoimmune diseases, urinary tract infections, systemic infections, and kidney loss, damage, injury or infection.