Early detection of chronic kidney disease

Early detection of chronic kidney disease:

• Increasing amounts of albumin in the urine correlate directly with an increased rate of progression to end stage kidney disease
• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) correlates well with complications of chronic kidney disease and an increased risk of adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
• Early intervention with blood pressure reduction and use of ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin-conerting enzyme inhibitor) or ARB (Angiotensin II receptor blocker) can reduce progression and cardiovascular risk by up to 50% and may  also improve quality of life
• Testing for chronic kidney disease should not be universal, but should be targeted and performed in individuals at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease
• Serum creatinine is an insensitive marker for detecting mild to moderate kidney disease - eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is the preferred test
• 50% or more of kidney function can be lost before the serum creatinine rises above the upper limit of normal