Are your kidneys ok? Early detection to protect kidney health

Abstract

Early detection of kidney disease can protect kidney health, prevent kidney disease progression and related complications, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and decrease mortality. We must ask, “Are your kidneys ok?” by using serum creatinine to estimate kidney function and urine albumin to assess kidney and endothelial damage. Evaluation of causes and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) includes testing for diabetes, as well as measuring blood pressure and body mass index. This World Kidney Day we assert that case-finding in high-risk populations – or even population-level screening – can significantly reduce the global burden of kidney disease. Early-stage CKD is asymptomatic and simple to test for. Recent paradigm-shifting CKD treatments, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, dramatically improve outcomes and favor the cost-benefit analysis for screening or case-finding programs. Despite this, numerous barriers exist, including resource allocation, health care funding, infrastructure, and both health care professionals’ and the public’s awareness of kidney disease. Coordinated efforts by major kidney-focused non-governmental organizations to prioritize kidney health within government agendas and align early detection efforts with other current programs will maximize efficiencies.