Pain in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an inherited disorder affecting 1 in 1,000 people and is responsible for 10% of cases of end-stage renal disease. Apart from renal manifestations, changes in other organs may be present, including arterial hypertension, intracranial aneurysms, liver cysts, and others. Pain is a common complaint in ADPKD, afflicting as many as two-thirds of patients. It begins relatively early in the course of the disease, and may be associated with polycystic kidneys, extrarenal manifestations of the disease, or may be of the origin which is unspecific for ADPKD. The aim of the paper is to review the subject of pain in ADPKD patients, with its possible sources, diagnostics, and management.