What is it about?
This article considers the practicalities and cost-effectiveness of screening for chronic kidney disease among at-risk groups and the general population. The systems currently in place to deliver screening for both groups use flawed methodology to determine the presence of chronic kidney disease, while failing to meet screening target numbers. The cost-effectiveness of such systems is therefore compromised. Meanwhile, despite the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease, patients in known at-risk groups, including those with common conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, have no guarantee of being screened. This raises major questions about how the NHS can practically and cost-effectively tackle the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease. A major revision of strategy is needed to address the human and financial costs associated with failure to identify and effectively manage chronic kidney disease.
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Why is it important?
Although there are established systems that could enable screening for chronic kidney disease at population and at-risk group level, these systems are not fit for this purpose. Even when a diagnosis is formally made and recorded at primary care level, a significant number of individuals seem unaware of their changed health situation, its implications and possible consequences. There are existing practical and cost-effective ways to screen for kidney disease at both population and at-risk group level, but where is the will?
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This page is a summary of: The practicalities and cost-effectiveness of screening at-risk groups for kidney disease, British Journal of Healthcare Management, September 2020, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjhc.2019.0073.
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Resources
Global Kidney Health Atlas: A report by the International Society of Nephrology on the current state of organization and structures for kidney care across the globe.
Global Kidney Health Atlas by Bello, A. et al K, (2017). International Society of Nephrology. Accessed 12/06/2021
Global Burden of Disease: Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration (2020) Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Global Burden of Disease: Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration (2020) Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2020; 395(10225):709–733. Accessed 16/06/2021
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