Earlier in March, the leading global organization developing and implementing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), released their 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The guideline is an updated version of the 2012 report and follows the January release of their Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Lupus Nephritis (LN). The CKD Guideline Executive Summary was published in the April issue of Kidney International – the official journal of the International Society of Nephrology and is accessible here. The guidelines can be viewed in full from the KDIGO site here.
While there is significant awareness about testing those with diabetes for CKD, the KDIGO report also includes the clinical need to test those with hypertension for the disease, aligning with other leading expert groups highlighting the risk associated with cardiovascular disease. The Guideline states, “We strongly support efforts aimed at the early detection and treatment of CKD among people at high risk for CKD, including those with hypertension, diabetes, and CVD.”
The guidelines are broken into six chapters:
- Evaluation of CKD
- Risk assessment in people with CKD
- Delaying CKD progression and managing its complications
- Medication management and drug stewardship in CKD
- Optimal models of care
- Research recommendations
Key additions to the 2024 Guideline from 2012 include:
- Inclusion of reagent strip urinalysis for albumin and ACR with automated reading as an appropriate method of measurement for testing of albuminuria.
- Preference for testing of albuminuria using a first void in the morning midstream sample in both adults and children.
Section 1.4 of the Guideline is dedicated solely to Point-of-care testing and the unique advantages provided by their usage are specifically noted. These include convenience, elimination of sample transportation/shipping, minimal sample processing, and availability of results. Also noted was the ability for these testing methods to be completed in a wide range of settings, critical when considering locations where laboratory services may be limited or nonexistent. Finally, “the use of POCT may facilitate access to earlier diagnosis and thus, care.”
In the U.S., 90% of the 37 million people who have CKD are unaware they have the disease until it is too late due to a gap in access to testing and low awareness. Healthy.io applauds KDIGO for raising recognition of the importance of kidney testing and remains committed to delivering at-home patient solutions, increasing access and overcoming barriers to care, while improving patient outcomes for all.
1Chapter 1.3: Evaluation of albuminuria. 1.3.1: Guidance for physicians and other healthcare providers. Practice Point 1.3.1.1
2Chapter 1.3: Evaluation of albuminuria. 1.3.1: Guidance for physicians and other healthcare providers. Practice Point 1.3.1.1
