Chronic kidney disease for the primary care clinician
Date
2019-10-28
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Academy of Family Physicians
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being experienced in South Africa. This is driven by a heavy burden of infections, non-communicable diseases, pregnancy-related diseases and injuries. The serious long-term complications of CKD include end-stage renal disease, heart disease and stroke. Competing priorities such as the high burden of HIV, tuberculosis and other infections, unemployment and poverty result in serious constraints to providing comprehensive renal care, especially in the public healthcare sector. The prevention and early detection of CKD by primary care practitioners is therefore of utmost importance. Annual screening is recommended for patients at high risk of developing CKD. This involves checking blood pressure, urine dipstick testing for albuminuria or proteinuria and estimating the glomerular filtration rate from serum creatinine concentrations. In patients with established CKD, renoprotective measures are indicated to arrest or slow down the loss of renal function. These patients are at high risk of cardiovascular disease and close attention should be paid to optimally managing their risk factors.
Description
CITATION: Davids, M., & Chothia, M. 2019. Chronic kidney disease for the primary care clinician. South African Family Practice, 61(5):19-24. doi:10.4102/safp.v61i5.4941
The original publication is available at https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj
The original publication is available at https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj
Keywords
Chronic kidney disease, Primary care (Medicine, Medical screening, Diseases -- Risk factors
Citation
Davids, M., & Chothia, M. 2019. Chronic kidney disease for the primary care clinician. South African Family Practice, 61(5):19-24. doi:10.4102/safp.v61i5.4941