Chronic kidney disease

Model of a Kidney in two halves held by gloved hands.

Clinical tools and evidence-based guidance for care of patients with Diabetes and CKD

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common—and underdiagnosed—conditions in family medicine. It affects more than 37 million Americans, yet 9 out of 10 don’t know they have it. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD, and because diabetes cases are rising, physicians are seeing more cases of CKD. Managing CKD alongside other chronic conditions is increasingly complex, but early detection and coordinated care can make a significant difference.

Here, we offer practical, evidence-based tools to help you save time, identify high-risk patients earlier, support those with both CKD and diabetes, and streamline CKD care within your workflow.

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Fact sheets

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for slowing disease progression and preventing complications for patients with diabetes or CKD.
Get the latest screening protocols, medications and patient lifestyle interventions.
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Antihypertensive medications in chronic kidney disease

Patients who have CKD need to lower their blood pressure to reduce cardiovascular risk and slow disease progression.
This fact sheet discusses commonly used medications, possible side effects and dosages.
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Collaborative care of patients with diabetes and CKD

You aren't alone when treating patients with diabetes and CKD. This fact sheet walks you through collaborating with other health care professionals.
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Closing the Gap: Using uACR to Detect CKD, Reduce Cardiovascular Risk and Enhance Patient Care

Patients with diabetes should receive annual urine albumin/creatinine ratio (uACR) testing and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) testing.
Learn how early detection of albuminuria can substantially improve patient outcomes by enabling timely intervention.
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Patient care and advice

  • Talking With Patients About CKD: Shared Decision-making for Early Detection

    Family physicians are often the first line of defense for patients at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because patients typically are asymptomatic in the early stages of CKD, screening is critical to enable timely diagnosis, slow disease progression and improve cardiovascular outcomes. The AAFP designed this guide to support shared decision-making, helping you have evidence-based conversations with your patients about their risk factors for CKD, the importance of early detection and tests used to check their kidney health.

  • AAFP Supplement in FPM: Caring for Patients with CKD

    Many people are unaware they have CKD until it has already progressed to an advanced stage. As the U.S. population ages, more adults will be living with the disease. Family physicians play an important role in increasing patients’ awareness of CKD, its key risk factors, and the availability of effective treatments that can slow disease progression, improve quality of life and reduce CKD-related complications.

    Efficient, effective chronic disease management requires a coordinated, systematic approach.

    Find out how to make every visit count

  • Shared Decision-Making Considerations for Kidney Replacement Therapy

    Family physicians play an important role in educating and supporting their patients who have chronic kidney disease (CKD). This conversation guide can prepare patients for the future by discussing the step-by-step process for considering kidney replacement therapy (KRT), which is also known as renal replacement therapy.

    Read more in the Shared Decision-making guide.

  • Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment and Management Guide

    This self-management checklist and progress tracking chart guides patients who have CKD through the variety of ways they can improve and monitor their health, empowering them to take ownership of their well-being on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

    Read more in the treatment and management guide

Patient resources

The resources at familydoctor.org use simple, accessible language to help your patients understand CKD, including the importance of early detection, treatment options and strategies for managing kidney health—ultimately supporting better outcomes and more informed care decisions.

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