Chronic kidney disease: a new priority for primary care

[摘要] Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition that has been the focus of important recent initiatives. Although only a small minority of individuals with this condition will develop end-stage renal disease, the presence of even minor renal impairment is an independent risk factor for all cause mortality and cardiovascular disease.1 The number of patients treated with end-stage renal failure is increasing dramatically in the UK. Projections for hospital-based haemodialysis indicate an annual growth rate of 6–8%; a steady state is not predicted for at least 20 years.2 Currently one-third of people reach specialist renal services less than a month before requiring renal replacement, and this group has poorer outcomes.3 Measuring renal function in primary care has the potential to prevent these late referrals by slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease.

[学科分类] 卫生学