RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Although autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common hereditary kidney disease, available data tend to be limited to after initiation of renal replacement therapy. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain an overview of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease within the health area of Granada in southern Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2016, we collected clinical, family and demographic information about all patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, irrespective of whether or not they were treated with RRT, in the Granada health area. The computer software SPSS 15.0 and GenoPro were used. RESULTS: 50.6% of the 1,107 diagnosed patients were men. 99.1% were Caucasian and 4-6 generations/family were studied. The geographical distribution was heterogeneous. There was no family history in 2.43%. The mean age of diagnosis was 34.0±17.80 years and the diagnosis was made after having offspring in 57.7% of cases. The main reason for diagnosis was family history (46.4%). The mean age of initiation of renal replacement therapy was 54.2±11.05 years. 96.3% of the deceased had some degree of renal failure at the time of death. The mean age of death was 60.9±14.10 years, the main cause of death being unknown in 33.5% of cases, followed by cardiovascular (27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Cases and families were concentrated in certain geographical areas and a significant number of individuals were undiagnosed prior to cardiovascular death or diagnosed late after reproduction. Given that there is currently no curative treatment, the primary prevention strategy of preimplantation genetic diagnosis should play a leading role.