Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Autosomal-Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most commonly inherited kidney disease, and the fourth most common cause of end-stage renal disease. ADPKD is a systemic disorder, associated with numerous extrarenal manifestations, including polycystic liver disease, the most common gastrointestinal manifestation, and diverticular disease, inguinal, and ventral hernias, pancreatic cysts, and large bile duct abnormalities. All of these gastrointestinal manifestations play a significant role in disease burden in ADPKD, particularly in the later decades of life. Thus, as ADPKD becomes more recognized, it is important for gastroenterologists to be knowledgeable of this monogenic disorder's effects on the digestive system.