Screening for chronic kidney disease: unresolved issues

Abstract

End-stage renal disease is epidemic in the United States. As a measure to control this epidemic, it has been recommended that individuals who are at risk for CKD be tested for undetected kidney disease during routine health care encounters. There are generally accepted criteria against which screening recommendations for CKD control and prevention programs should be judged. If detection strategies are to be adopted for the screening of kidney disease, then CKD must represent a significant public health problem, be characterized by a clear natural history with a detectable asymptomatic period, outcomes should be improved by early treatment, and acceptable screening tests should be available. Health systems must provide adequate and appropriate follow-up medical care for individuals with newly detected CKD. Finally, the cost-effectiveness of screening needs to be demonstrated and the effectiveness of screening as a means of achieving reductions in CKD should be proven in randomized trials.