High prevalence and low awareness of CKD in Taiwan: a study on the relationship between serum creatinine and awareness from a nationally representative survey.
BACKGROUND
The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global challenge. Empirical evidence of low CKD awareness rates in developed countries speaks for an urgent need to strengthen strategies for CKD identification and prevention. The aim of this study is to estimate the awareness rate of CKD in Taiwan to promote early detection of CKD in this country.


METHODS
Data from a nationally representative survey were used for analysis. The study included 6,001 subjects. The simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation was used to define glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and CKD stages according to criteria of the US National Kidney Foundation. Descriptive methods were used to analyze data.


RESULTS
The prevalence of CKD stages 3 to 5 in Taiwan is 6.9% (95% confidence interval, 4.4 to 9.4). Awareness rates for CKD in Taiwan are low: 8.0% for individuals with stage 3, 25.0% for those with stage 4, and 71.4% for those with stage 5. Awareness rate is related closely to serum creatinine level: those with creatinine levels greater than 1.6 mg/dL (>141 micromol/L) are more likely to be informed of having a kidney disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence and low awareness of CKD in Taiwan explicitly show the need to advocate more strongly for CKD prevention and education for both physicians and the populace. Establishment of a mandated automatic GFR reporting system may be the first priority we need to accomplish in Taiwan to improve kidney well-being.
Hsu
Chih-Cheng
CC
Center for Health Policy Research and Development, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan.
Hwang
Shang-Jyh
SJ
Wen
Chi-Pang
CP
Chang
Hsing-Yi
HY
Chen
Ted
T
Shiu
Ruei-Shiang
RS
Horng
Shiow-Shiun
SS
Chang
Yu-Kang
YK
Yang
Wu-Chang
WC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D015897:Comorbidity; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D003404:Creatinine