A recently published paper by Stanford Medicine researchers found that routine testing for kidney disease would increase life expectancy in a cost-effective way. Their conclusion, further discussed with author Maricka Cusick in Stat, is particularly noteworthy considering the huge financial burden of end-stage kidney disease in the US. Every year, Medicare spends $124 billion on chronic kidney disease and caring for people with kidney failure, those living on dialysis or in need of a kidney transplant.
“The combination of simple, accessible, cost effective testing to identify CKD, and clinical physician interventions which slow the progression of kidney damage, has created a real opportunity to make meaningful change to the lives of millions of Americans while cutting healthcare costs.”
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers extrapolated results to the full US adult population aged 35 years and older. A cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for albuminuria to the current standard of care for CKD was completed on the data. Results showed:
- Screening all US residents over 35 for chronic kidney disease would increase life expectancy and reduce the number of people requiring dialysis or transplant.
- Spending on universal CKD screening “represents excellent value for money, according to Paul Komeda, professor of medicine at the University of Manitoba.
- One time screening and use of SGLT2 inhibitors could keep nearly 400,000 people from needing a kidney transplant or going on dialysis in their lifetime.
- These numbers rise to about 658,000 people with screening every five years.
The full paper can be accessed here. Subscription to the Annals of Internal Medicine required.
