Chronic Kidney Disease: Laboratory Support of Diagnosis and Management

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects about 37 million people in the United States, with about 90% not knowing they have it.¹ The disease affects kidney structure and function yet may have no signs or symptoms in its early stages. However, patients with CKD can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and the need for dialysis, and have a higher risk of cardiovascular events and death.^2,3 As such, diagnosis of CKD and monitoring of kidney function in patients with CKD are important for decreasing morbidity and mortality.⁴

Read this article to be informed about CKD, its risk factors and comorbidities, and how the laboratory can assist in diagnosis and management.

1. Chronic kidney disease in the United States, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed March 11, 2019. Accessed January 23, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/2019-national-facts.html
2. National Kidney Foundation Laboratory Engagement Advisory Group. Laboratory engagement plan: transforming kidney disease detection. National Kidney Foundation and ASCP. Published February 2018. Accessed January 26, 2021. https://www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/get-involved-pdfs/istp-ckd/laboratory-engagement-plan.pdf
3. Chu CD, McCulloch CE, Banerjee T, et al. CKD awareness among US adults by future risk of kidney failure. Am J Kidney Dis. 2020;76(2):174-183. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.01.007
4. Vassalotti JA, Centor R, Turner BJ, et al. Practical approach to detection and management of chronic kidney disease for the primary care clinician. Am J Med. 2016;129(2):153-162.e7. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.08.025