Managing CKD and Related Kidney Conditions

Detect, monitor, and manage chronic kidney disease and related kidney conditions

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the rapid loss of kidney function. It may be recognized when a person suddenly produces urine much less frequently and/or has a dramatic increase in the level of waste products in the blood that the kidneys normally filter out, and is often the result of trauma, illness, or a medication that damages the kidneys. It is most common in people who are already hospitalized, such as those who are critically ill and in the intensive care unit.

AKI is preventable and treatable, often with few, if any, long-term health consequences. However, if the damage caused by AKI persists, it can eventually progress to chronic kidney disease. AKI can also affect other organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs.¹ Early detection and treatment of patients at risk for developing the disease are critical to improve patient outcomes.

End-stage kidney or renal disease (ESRD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease in which the kidneys no longer function well enough to meet the needs of daily life. People with diabetes or hypertension have the highest risk of developing ESRD.

With the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease, it’s important that physicians have the right test at the right stage for early detection and monitoring of this worldwide public-health problem. High-risk individuals should be monitored regularly for CKD. An assessment of CKD can be achieved by measurement of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. eGFR is a measure of kidney function, while albuminuria can be an early sign of kidney disease or kidney damage.² Patients suffering from CKD should be monitored at least annually, and more frequently for individuals at higher risk of progression or where measurement might affect therapeutic decisions.³