Putting A Stop To CKD

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as kidney damage or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for three months or more, irrespective of cause, is a major global public health problem.1 CKD is an incurable progressive disease that has become one of the most rapidly rising causes of death worldwide.2,3 CKD is associated with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death, especially in people with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.2,3 In Singapore, CKD has become an increasingly prevalent and alarming disease in recent years. Singapore is ranked first in the world for diabetes-induced kidney failure, and fourth and seventh in the world for prevalence of kidney failure and incidence of kidney failure respectively.4 There are currently more than 8,500 dialysis patients in Singapore and it is estimated that 5.7 new patients are diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in Singapore daily.4 Given that CKD is not only associated with a higher burden of complications, morbidity, and mortality, but also significant economic burden and poorer quality of life, it is imperative that kidney function be preserved. Preservation of kidney function results in improved health outcomes and can be achieved through a combination of non-pharmacological strategies (i.e., lifestyle and dietary modifications) and CKD-targeted and kidney disease-specific pharmacological interventions.2 This issue will provide an update on the latest evidence-based treatment options in CKD management. The College is pleased to partner with AstraZeneca to conduct this Family Practice Skills Course for our doctors.