The impact of population-based identification of chronic kidney disease using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting

Abstract

The reporting of the eGFR in association with this DMP effectively identified patients with CKD. A referral assessment programme can effectively ensure appropriate nephrology referral and avoids exceeding the capacity of nephrology services. The vast majority of patients with CKD stages 3-5 are cared for within primary care. There are marked gender differences in the prevalence of CKD stages 3-5 that are not reflected by referral patterns to nephrology services. There are significant differences in referral practices between primary and secondary care. In a steady state the burden of incident patients with CKD stages 4-5 should not exceed the capacity of the local nephrology service.