Chronic kidney disease: importance of early diagnosis, immediate referral and structured interdisciplinary approach to improve outcomes in patients not yet on dialysis

Abstract

At present, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is broadly defined on the basis of changes in the glomerular filtration rate and/or the presence of parenchymal damage present for at least 3 months. Although the diagnosis of CKD is now quite straightforward, the proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease seen by a nephrologist for the first time immediately before the initiation of dialysis is still unacceptable. Early diagnosis and immediate nephrology referral are key steps in management because enable predialysis education, allow implementation of preventive measures that delay or even halt progression of CKD to end stage renal disease, as well as decrease initial morbidity and mortality. In this review, we discuss the complexity of CKD and the multiplicity of interventions currently recommended in its secondary prevention, different models of healthcare delivery, and examine the rational and outcomes of patients followed in interdisciplinary care clinics.