Kidney disease

Monitoring kidney function with eGFR

Around 2.9 million people in the UK have moderate-to-severe kidney disease. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can help to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improve the prevention and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this article, we explain why it is important to detect CKD early, how eGFR is calculated and how to reduce risk in patients found to have impaired kidney function.

Monitoring kidney function in the surgery

The most common cause of chronic kidney failure is diabetes, which accounts for between 30 and 40% of all cases. Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition usually taking between fifteen and twenty years to reach the final stages. Although 30% of all people with type 2 diabetes will develop some degree of kidney disease, only a minority go on to develop end-stage renal failure. In this article, we look at the benefits of early detection and treatment in slowing the progression of renal impairment.

Protecting renal function in people with diabetes

Renal disease is common and is increasing in prevalence as the main risk factor for impaired kidney function – diabetes – affects more people. Approximately 30% of patients with type 2 diabetes develop some degree of nephropathy, with some ethnic groups at even higher risk. Diabetes is now the largest single cause of end-stage renal disease in the UK, accounting for 30–40% of all cases. The very early stages are asymptomatic and the disease process develops slowly over 15–20 years, so early screening and prevention strategies are paramount in reducing the burden of renal failure. Primary care nurses are well placed to play a pivotal role in this process.

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