Chronic Kidney Disease:Doing Simple Things Well for Those Most at Risk
The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide. A holistic approach to management that includes nonpharmacological and pharmacological strategies to manage risk factors, as well as advocating for patients, particularly those most at risk, can significantly slow the progression of CKD. Input from multidisciplinary team members, including a nephrologist, CKD nurse and allied health professionals, can further reduce the progression of CKD, delay kidney failure and avoid CKD-related mortality. Risk factors for developing CKD, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease, should be managed aggressively with pharmacotherapy. The four pillars of medical management for patients with CKD are renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, sodiumglucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2024