PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES
QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED SCREENING FOR PRIMARY HYPEROXALURIA IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AND A PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE

UDK: 616.633.461.2:616.61-78

www.doi.org/10.67214/2qswhe74

Karanfilovski V., Gjorgjievski N., Dzekova-Vidimliski P.

University Clinic for Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine,  Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

Abstract

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder that is frequently underrecognized in adult patients, particularly those undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Diagnostic challenges arise from the reduced reliability of biochemical markers in advanced kidney failure, often leading to delayed or missed diagnosis and the development of systemic oxalosis. Recent studies have proposed a simple clinical prediction model based on readily available “red flags” for identifying patients at increased risk of PH1 in dialysis populations. Building on this approach, we propose implementing a questionnaire-based screening strategy adapted for routine clinical use. The potential applicability of this strategy in North Macedonia is further outlined, as a significant proportion of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy have an unknown primary renal disease. Given the existing dialysis care system, systematic screening using a simple questionnaire could be feasibly integrated into clinical practice. Such an approach may facilitate earlier identification of high-risk patients, enable targeted genetic testing, and improve clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Hemodialysis; Primary Hyperoxaluria; Surveys; Questionnaires.

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