A recent study suggests that screening all US residents over the age of 35 for chronic kidney disease (CKD) could lead to increased life expectancy, reduced dependence on dialysis or transplant, and substantial cost savings.
CKD is a prevalent condition, affecting 15% of US adults, with diabetes and high blood pressure being the primary causes.
This silent disease often remains undiagnosed until it progresses to late-stage kidney disease, resulting in increased healthcare expenses.
However, new drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) have demonstrated the potential to slow CKD progression, reshaping the discussion around early CKD screening.
Key Findings
Preventive Benefits: Screening for CKD through albuminuria testing, combined with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors, could prevent the need for dialysis or kidney transplants in hundreds of thousands of individuals during their lifetime.
Cost-Effectiveness: Although implementing a one-time screening along with SGLT2 inhibitors may lead to a modest increase in healthcare costs, the intervention offers substantial value when considering the expenses associated with treating CKD and its health benefits.
Scope of Impact: By extrapolating their findings to the entire US adult population aged 35 and older, the study highlights the potential for widespread benefits and cost savings.
Conclusion
CKD is a significant public health concern in the United States, affecting millions of adults and placing a substantial economic burden on the healthcare system.
Screening individuals over 35 for CKD, particularly when combined with effective treatments like SGLT2 inhibitors, can lead to improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased life expectancy.
The study emphasizes the value of early CKD detection and intervention, potentially benefiting both individuals and the healthcare system as a whole.
This proactive approach may help prevent the progression of CKD to advanced stages, ultimately improving the quality of life for affected individuals while saving healthcare resources.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about drug that prevents kidney failure in diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and common painkillers may harm heart, kidneys and more.
The research findings can be found in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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