title: Awareness of chronic kidney disease in Austria: a frequently under-recognized clinical picture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising at an alarming rate, thus presenting a substantial burden for the patient as an individual and-because of the enormous treatment costs-for society as a whole. Early diagnosis and therapy could slow disease progression and reduce the prevalence of cost-intensive end stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of diagnosis of CKD in acute patients presenting at an internal ward.
  
  
  METHODS
  Routine laboratory parameters of kidney function of 238 inpatients were retrospectively evaluated to determine the prevalence of CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Those results were compared with the actual documentation of the ICD-10 diagnosis CKD in the discharge reports of the respective patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 238 patients, 228 patients were included in the analysis. The overall median (range) eGFR was 60.7 (10.4-171.9) mL/min/1.73 m(2), with no gender-specific difference. Of patients, 49.6 % (n = 113) were retrospectively diagnosed with CKD stage 3 or higher. However, the review of the discharge reports found correct diagnosis of CKD in only 38.1 % (n = 43) of these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present analysis shows that CKD remains frequently unrecognized, even in a hospital setting. This could have dramatic implications on the care, treatment and prevention of CKD and associated complications.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 27, 8036, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Friedl
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hemetsberger
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mader
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fahrleitner-Pammer
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Pieber
authors.forename: Alexander R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063886:Patient Discharge Summaries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult