A Primary Care Guide to the Screening and Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in People Living With Type 2 Diabetes

What is it about?

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term progressive condition where one’s kidneys are not working as they should. People with chronic kidney disease may end up needing a procedure called dialysis (where a machine is used to remove toxins from a person’s blood) or a kidney transplant. People with diabetes are more likely to get kidney disease than those without diabetes. This paper provides recommendations from experts on how to detect and manage kidney disease in people with diabetes. Identifying people at risk of kidney disease, or those who are in the early stages, can help the clinician to start treatment sooner and slow down the progression of kidney disease. Tests that monitor for leaking proteins or that measure kidney filter function are used to spot early signs of kidney disease and monitor its progression. These tests should be performed at least once a year in people at risk of kidney disease, with more frequent testing in people at higher risk of kidney disease. The basic approach of managing kidney disease in people with diabetes is to always start with lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity, a healthy diet, and sufficient sleep. For people with diabetes, treatment for kidney disease often focuses on controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, as both can damage the body, including the kidneys. A checklist of proven treatments should be considered by a clinician when treating people with kidney disease and diabetes. This involves treatment with different types of medicines for slowing the progression of kidney disease. People with kidney disease and diabetes should be given the knowledge and be involved in the choice on how to optimize the management of their kidney disease. This includes the provision of infographic visual aids and other materials to support people with making informed decisions about the management of their kidney disease. Overall, early diagnosis, frequent disease-monitoring, lifestyle changes, optimized treatment, and patient empowerment can improve outcomes for people with kidney disease and diabetes.

Featured Image