Question

Consider the following statements. Polycystic disease of the kidneys may present with:
1. Chronic renal failure.
2. Haematuria and renal colic.
3. Hypertension.
4. Accidentally on routine examination of the abdomen.
Which of these statements are correct?

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 1, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Hint:

Cyst growth in polycystic kidney disease drives both hypertension and eventual chronic renal failure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question lists four possible ways polycystic kidney disease can present and asks which combination is marked correct in this paper's answer key.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder where both kidneys develop many fluid filled cysts that slowly enlarge, gradually replacing normal kidney tissue and disturbing kidney function.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
As the cysts enlarge over years, they steadily destroy functioning kidney tissue, so chronic renal failure is a well recognized and classic long term presentation of this disease.
The growing cysts also activate the renin-angiotensin system within the kidney, and this drives up blood pressure early in the disease, often before renal failure develops, so hypertension is another classic and very common presentation.
This paper's key marks the combination of chronic renal failure and hypertension, statements 1 and 3, as the correct pair of presentations to select.
It is worth noting that haematuria with renal colic, from cyst bleeding or stone formation, and an incidental finding on a routine abdominal scan are also presentations described for this disease in many textbooks, so students should be aware that some sources treat all four statements as valid features of polycystic kidney disease.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Per this paper's answer key, statements 1 and 3, chronic renal failure and hypertension, are marked as the correct presentations.