It takes 2 tests to get the full picture about chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Your patients with type 2 diabetes or hypertension may have CKD without even knowing it, and eGFR testing only tells half the story.
Breaking down CKD by the numbers
CKD is a debilitating condition that often goes undiagnosed until late stages.
adults in the U.S. have CKD
people with CKD are not aware of their condition
Black Americans are 3 times as likely to have kidney failure compared to white Americans
Latin Americans are 1.3 times as likely to have kidney failure compared to white Americans
It Takes 2 – Remixing the ‘80’s Hit for
Kidney Health Awareness
Rob Base may have said it best: “It takes two to make a thing go right” – and that applies to your patients’ kidney
health too. The musical artist rewrites his 1980’s hit song to bring attention to the importance of early diagnosis
and treatment of CKD, and how It Takes 2 tests – eGFR and uACR – to detect kidney disease and help reduce the
potential for serious complications.
Changing the Tune of Kidney Disease
Diagnosis
Adults with type 2 diabetes and hypertension are more likely to develop CKD, but the condition is often asymptomatic
in its early stages. If your patient is living with either of these conditions, using two tests – eGFR and UACR – can
help reveal the full picture of kidney health. Head behind the scenes with Rob Base, Dr. Charles Vega, a primary
care physician, and Thelma, an advocate living with CKD, to learn about the importance of testing and early
diagnosis.
Even though I'd been treated for type 2 diabetes for 10 years, I was already at late-stage kidney disease when I was diagnosed. I wish I knew about the connection between hypertension, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease sooner, and encourage others at-risk for this disease, like I was, to get tested.
Leading organizations suggest using 2 tests
Using both urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) tests can help to completely screen for CKD in at-risk patients.
EARLY TESTING CAN MEAN EARLY TREATMENT
Detecting CKD early and starting treatment can help delay disease progression
Less than 20% of patients at risk for CKD between 2013 and 2019 received complete testing (defined as both eGFR and UACR) for CKD
Only 10.5% of people with hypertension had complete testing
SGLT2 inhibitors with documented kidney or cardiovascular benefit, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs are some of the recommended therapies for CKD
Meet the healthcare professionals
behind It Takes 2
As valued members of the healthcare community, these HCPs understand the interconnected nature of type 2
diabetes, hypertension and CKD and recognize the critical need for comprehensive testing to help delay CKD
progression.
Dr. Eugene Wright, M.D.
With more than 40 years of clinical experience as a private practitioner, academic clinician and educator, medical administrator, and volunteer physician, Dr. Eugene Wright, M.D., is a wealth of knowledge and experience for his patients. He currently works as Medical Director for Performance Improvement at the South Piedmont Health Education Center and served on several advisory and editorial boards, including Clinical Diabetes, Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. He has published several articles on diabetes diagnoses, treatment, and management and presented new treatments and diabetes technology around the world.
Dr. Charles Vega, M.D.
Charles Vega, M.D., is a family medicine specialist and Director of UC Irvine’s Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community. Throughout his 27-year residency at UCI’s Family Health Center, the largest safety-net clinic in Orange County, he’s used his extensive knowledge and experience to shape the next generation of medical students and residents. Dr. Vega has won numerous awards in recognition of his work in the development of training programs that provide quality, compassionate care to underserved populations.