Baxter launches Know your Score campaign, highlighting the importance of early screening to tackle the growing burden of kidney disease in Asia Pacific

BANGKOK,March 10,2022 --Baxter Asia Pacific (Baxter),a global leader in dialysis care,has launched the Know Your Score campaign across Asia Pacific (APAC) on World Kidney Day.

Know Your Scoreaims to educate the public on their kidney score[1] as a gauge of their kidney health,reinforcing the idea that "knowing your score can save your life". The score is measured through the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) test,simple blood test that quantifies kidney health. This simple number – like cholesterol and blood pressure measurements – indicates if a patient needs further check-ups and helps to prevent disease progression.

Dr. Surasak Kantachuvessiri,the President of the Kidney Society of Thailand,said: "Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is often referred to as a 'silent-killer' as an alarming 95% of people with mild CKD do not know they have it and almost half of people with severe CKD are completely unaware they are ill. In most cases of progressive kidney disease,the body can adjust to the build-up of toxins and the patient will only feel unwell once their kidney function falls below 15%. When this 'crash' happens,the patient's kidney function is not likely to return to normal levels."

Know Your Score emphasizes the need for routine testing to detect and prevent CKD,especially among those who are suffering from hypertension and /or diabetes. It also encourages the public to learn more about kidney scores and lifestyle tips to prevent kidney disease,by visiting My Kidney Journey,a dedicated website providing information about the kidney health and CKD care.

CKD is on the rise in Asia Pacific and continues to be a major public health problem. Thailand,Singapore,South Korea,Japan,Malaysia,and Indonesia have the highest incidence of treated End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The largest percentage increase in incidence of treated ESRD between 2009-2010 and 2017-2018,occurred in Indonesia (1550%),followed by Thailand (204%),and South Korea (73%).

Ms. Phetcharat Kitchotsakool,an ESRD patient unexpectedly diagnosed at 32 years old when she entered National Service,said: "It is critical for everyone to understand that early detection of CKD can save lives,as symptoms of CKD emerge slowly and silently. I would encourage everyone,young and old,especially if they suffer from diabetes or hypertension to talk to their doctor about their kidneys and get tested. Sadly,I see many patients who suffer from kidney damage that is severe and irreversible because it was detected too late."

"Baxter is committed to reduce the occurrence of CKD through raising awareness of early testing.  As we mark World Kidney Day across the globe,Baxter emphasises early testing,as knowing your score can be lifesaving. Patients diagnosed early can adapt their lifestyle and learn to manage their condition,thus avoiding or postponing the need for dialysis or transplant. Today we reiterate our commitment to collaborating with physicians across the entire continuum of care,from prevention and early detection of CKD to kidney failure care," said Nara Decharin,General Manager of Baxter Thailand.

Find out more about Know Your Score here: https://th.mykidneyjourney.com/th/wkd

It is available to the general public in ten countries and eight different languages across APAC.

[1]A kidney score of over 90 indicates a healthy and normal kidney. A score between 60-89 means intervention is needed to prevent further kidney damage. When a score falls to less than 60 under a three-month period,it is an indicator of CKD.

About Baxter

Every day,millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter's leading portfolio of critical care,nutrition,renal,hospital and surgical products. For nine decades,we have been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen. With products,technologies,and therapies available in more than 100 countries,Baxter's employees worldwide are now building upon the company's rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations.