CIN '2007 - 4º CONGRESO DE NEFROLOGIA EN INTERNET
A Compiled and agreed protocol by Primary Care and Nephrologists. Experience in the Region of Valencia
Dr José Luis Górriz
Hospital Universitario Dr Peset -
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent. A new report of results of NHANES was recently released. The findings indicate that CKD affected an estimated 13.1% of adults aged >20 years during 1999-2004, an increase from the recalculated NHANES III (1988--1994) estimate of 10.0 %. The findings in this report suggest that CKD is a growing health problem in the United States1. Even if doctors are aware of the evidence and are willing to improve CKD care, it is difficult. Early referral of all CKD patients to Nephrology and attending to them is a utopia. If nephrologists received all stage 3 to 5 CKD patients, we would need ten times the number of current nephrologists to attend to the patients. Then, the following question arises: Should Primary Care see to stage 3 CKD patients? On the other hand, all stage 4-5 CKD patients (eGF < 30 ml/min/1.73) should be referred to nephrologists?2 . Given the enormity of the CKD problem we have to establish strategies to tackle it. The first step to answer these questions is to identify the problem and barriers. This may help to set up a plan to build bridges that can help overcome the barriers and close the gap between evidence and clinical practice. We have tried to establish an approach putting what we know into practice in our city (Valencia. Spain).Comentarios :