Unlocking the Next Chapter of Kidney Care

Kidney Toolkit

Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD is currently an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease that can be managed in the specialty or primary care setting.

Risk condition and Evaluation

Early identification of at Risk individuals, patient risk categorisation and early institution of treatment may help reduce the rate of renal function decline, delay disease complications and help reduce morbidity and mortality related to CKD.

The webpage aims to support the early identification and intervention of Chronic Kidney Disease in your current Clinical Practice. 

Identifying CKD Risk Conditions

Main clinical risk factors for CKD are:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• CVD
• Family history of CKD
• Systemic disease affecting the kidneys (e.g. SLE)
• Obesity
• Genetic risk factors (e.g. ADPKD)
• Environmental exposures to nephrotoxins
• Demographics - older age, race/ethnicity
• History of AKI

Evaluating and Testing for CKD

It takes 2 tests to establish the diagnosis of CKD. As Clinical Symptoms occur late a high index of suspicion plays a crucial role.

• eGFR to Evaluate kidney function – eGFR calculated based on serum creatinine and/or cystatin C - eGFR calculator.
• albuminuria determination as Urine albumin creatinine ratio to Evaluate kidney damage – UACR or urine dipstick* (if UACR is unavailable)

Making the Diagnosis and Risk for kidney disease Progression Categorization

If the UACR ≥30 mg/g (≥3 mg/mmol) OR eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m² present for more than 3 months Patient has CKD.

KDIGO Risk Categorization

Risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, frequency of visits, and referral to nephrology according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria is an important Guidepost in continuing management of your CKD patient.

The numbers in the boxes are a guide to the frequency of screening or monitoring (number of times per year).

• LOW RISK (GREEN): Reflects no evidence of CKD by eGFR or albuminuria, with screening indicated once per year.
• MODERATELY INCREASED RISK (YELLOW): Requires measurement at least once a year.
• HIGH RISK (ORANGE): Requires measurement at least twice a year.
• VERY HIGH RISK (RED/DEEP RED): Treat in agreement with a Nephrologist.
• RED: Requires measurement at least 3x a year.
• DEEP RED: Requires close monitoring at least 4 times a year (every 1-3 months).

These are general parameters only, based on expert opinion, and underlying comorbid conditions and disease state must be taken into account, as well as the likelihood of impacting a change in management for any individual patient.