Pathology
The visual defects are due to photoreceptor dystrophy. The chronic kidney failure is due to tubulointerstitial nephropathy. The liver fibrosis is secondary to ductal plate malformation. Diagnosis
Treatment
References


== External links ==
With respect to the role of drinking water, changing of water sources to deep well water has been reported to decrease the X-ray metaphyseal detection rate in different settings. In general, the effect of preventive measures however remains controversial, due to methodological problems (no randomised controlled trials), lack of documentation, or, as discussed above, inconsistency of results. Treatment
Treatment of KBD is palliative. Surgical corrections have been made with success by Chinese and Russian orthopedists. By the end of 1992, Médecins Sans Frontières—Belgium started a physical therapy programme aiming at alleviating the symptoms of KBD patients with advanced joint impairment and pain (mainly adults), in Nyemo county, Lhasa prefecture. Physical therapy had significant effects on joint mobility and joint pain in KBD patients. Later on (1994–1996), the programme has been extended to several other counties and prefectures in Tibet. Epidemiology
Kashin–Beck disease occurrence is limited to 13 provinces and two autonomous regions of China. It has also been reported in Siberia and North Korea, but incidence in these regions is reported to have decreased with socio-economic development. In China, KBD is estimated to affect some 2 million to 3 million people across China, and 30 million are living in endemic areas. Life expectancy in KBD regions has been reported to be significantly decreased in relation to selenium deficiency and Keshan disease (endemic juvenile dilative cardiomyopathia). The prevalence of KBD in Tibet varies strongly from valley to valley, and village to village.