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Editorial
. 2023 Dec 9;17(1):sfad254.
doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfad254. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Cost-effectiveness of screening for chronic kidney disease: existing evidence and knowledge gaps

Dominique van Mil  1   2 , Xavier G L V Pouwels  3 , Hiddo J L Heerspink  2 , Ron T Gansevoort  1
Affiliations
Editorial

Cost-effectiveness of screening for chronic kidney disease: existing evidence and knowledge gaps

Dominique van Mil et al. Clin Kidney J. .

Abstract

It is well known that the worldwide prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has risen to over 10% of the general population during the past decades. Patients with CKD are at increased risk of both kidney failure and cardiovascular disease (CVD), posing a substantial health challenge. Therefore, screening for CKD is warranted to identify and treat patients early to prevent progression and complications. In this issue of the Journal, Yeo and colleagues provide an updated systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of screening for CKD in the general adult population. They show that screening for CKD in high-risk populations is cost-effective and that there is limited evidence for screening the general population. It should be noted that most studies they discuss do not consider the benefit of screening to prevent CVD in addition to preventing kidney failure, the treatment effect of novel therapeutic agents such as SGLT2 inhibitors, and the possibility of screening in a home-based setting. These three aspects will likely improve the cost-effectiveness of CKD screening, making it feasible to move towards general population screening for CKD.

Keywords: albuminuria; chronic kidney disease; cost-effectiveness; eGFR; screening.

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Conflict of interest statement

R.T.G. has received grants from the Dutch Kidney Foundation, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to support studies investigating screening for chronic kidney disease.

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