Recognizing the link between CKD and CVD in the primary care setting: accurate and early diagnosis for timely and appropriate intervention.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is becoming increasingly prevalent in the US and worldwide, eventually progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring renal replacement therapy. Diabetes and hypertension, the two leading causes of CKD, are themselves reaching near epidemic proportions. Hypertension can cause both the development and progression of CKD, and CKD is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Indeed, CKD patients are more likely to die of cardiovascular complications than progress to ESRD. However, data indicate that early recognition and management of CKD can have a significant positive impact on disease outcome. This creates an important interventional opportunity for the primary care physician. This report describes the major risk factors and comorbidities associated with the development and progression of CKD and offers suggestions for timely diagnosis and management of CKD in the primary care setting.
Basile
Jan N
JN
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA. Jan.Basile@med.va.gov
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors