Knowing who is at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) enables targeted screening and early diagnosis. Early detection and intervention may slow or halt disease progression to avoid dialysis or kidney transplant, and reduce absolute cardiovascular risk.
The NPS MedicineWise program on chronic kidney disease has been developed in collaboration with Kidney Health Australia and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
For health professionals
Key points
- One in 10 Australian adults have signs of probable CKD. Of people affected, less than 10% are aware they may have the condition.
- An increasing proportion of Australian adults are at risk of comorbid CKD, diabetes and cardiovascular disease due to ageing and risk factor trends.
- CKD and related comorbid conditions are most common among the most disadvantaged Australians, those living in remote areas of Australia, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Up to 90% of kidney function may be lost before symptoms are present, therefore annual checking of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and blood pressure (the Kidney Health Check) in those with diabetes or hypertension, and every 1–2 years for others at increased risk is essential. Early detection and intervention may slow or halt disease progression and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Pharmacological treatments with demonstrated cardiovascular and kidney protection should be considered in addition to healthy lifestyle strategies to improve patient outcomes.
- Avoid or adjust the dose of medicines that may increase the risk of decline in kidney function or cause adverse effects due to reduced clearance.
NPS MedicineWise News
- CKD – Integrating kidney health into patient care
Integrate targeted screening, early detection and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) into your clinical practice to slow or prevent deterioration in kidney function and improve cardiovascular outcomes of your patients.
Find out more
Click here to download a printable pdf - Medicines for chronic kidney disease: A practical guide
This article discusses guidelines and practical recommendations on when and how to prescribe medicines shown to slow progression of chronic kidney disease and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Find out more
Podcasts
- Dose adjustment in chronic kidney disease
Associate Professor Darren Roberts discusses assessment of kidney function and factors to consider when adjusting medicine doses for people with CKD.
Read the Australian Prescriber article - Chronic kidney disease: A consumer perspective on navigating a new diagnosis
Chronic kidney disease is a common, but often silent and highly burdensome disease in our community.
Clinical resources and tools
- Kidney Health Australia: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in Primary Care (4th Edition 2020)
Read the full handbook - Additional clinical resources and tools including guidelines, medicine management, communication training and resources for treating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Resources to use with your patients
- The How healthy are my kidneys and how do I stay well? fact sheet helps your patients understand their test results. It also gives tips for keeping kidneys healthy.
- My Kidney Health Plan can help patients understand and plan the things they can do to keep their kidneys healthy. Use it with your patients to help them reach their kidney health goals.
- Kidney Health Australia patient resources
Books, publications and fact sheets to help manage your patients with kidney disease.
- Kidney Health Australia: My Kidneys My Health: Living with early-stage chronic kidney disease
Available as a free digital handbook and as a free mobile smart phone app
For your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
- Kidney Health Australia: Kidney Health Indigenous flip chart
Images with simple text messages for health workers to share with patients about how to look after their kidney health.
- Kidney Health Australia: Kidney stories toolkit
Individual kidney stories to share with patients.
- HealthinfoNet
A range of resources about kidney health presented in fact sheets and videos.
Resources in community languages
- Kidney Health Australia has developed factsheets on several topics in a range of languages
- NSW Health SUCCESS App
The SUCCESS smart phone app provides simplified patient information about managing CKD.
(Currently in pilot phase)
CPD options
Educational visits for GPs
- Visits for this program will be completed by 30 November 2022, and no new bookings are being taken.
Webinars for health professionals
- Chronic kidney disease: a multidisciplinary team approach to reducing risk by individualising medicine management
- Kidney Health Australia has webinars available for free.
See list of webinars
Online learning modules
(ThinkGP)
Chronic kidney disease: Quality use of medicines briefing paper
This briefing paper highlights some of the key issues in diagnosing and managing CKD in primary care. The issues focus on the awareness, screening, management and quality use of medicines for people at risk of, and those with, CKD.
This paper is intended to be used by researchers, stakeholder organisations and policy makers working to improve CKD detection and management.
Kidney Health Australia support services
- Kidney Helpline 1800 454 363 or email [email protected]
- Kidney Health Australia kidney clubs, buddies and online support groups – One-on-one and group peer support programs across Australia.