Many kidney medical professionals have recognized that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is connected to other diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. In a Healio video presentation, Dr. Ian de Boer, a professor of medicine and associate director of the Kidney Research Institute at the University of Washington in Seattle, explains the relationship of CKD to cardiometabolic disease, how CKD is tested, and the importance of early diagnosis.* 

What is cardiometabolic disease?

Often associated with unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles, cardiometabolic diseases are a group of diseases, which include cardiovascular (heart) disease, type 2 diabetes, and CKD. These diseases typically develop from metabolic dysfunctions, such as insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and central adiposity. 

What are the ways to test for CKD? 

With local community screenings or regular doctor visits, you can be tested for CKD. Typically, CKD testing will be completed if you have one or more cardiometabolic syndromes or diseases. 

There are two types of tests for CKD. It is recommended to have both done as a positive in one or both will indicate CKD. The tests include: 

• Urine sample to examine the amount of albumin (protein) in the urine
• A calculation called estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which comes from serum creatinine, age, sex, and race, or Cystatin-C. 

When albuminuria (i.e., albumin in the urine) and/or eGFR <60 are persistent, a person will be diagnosed with CKD. 

Why is early CKD screening important?

Screening for CKD among patients with diabetes  “is absolutely important” to detect kidney damage early, de Boer said.

Twenty years ago, doctors did not have much to help prevent worsening CKD as treatment options were limited. Now, de Boer admits, “We have an emerging menu of medications to help prevent the progression of CKD and the other cardiovascular complications that go along with it, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke.”

*Neumann, M. (2021, July 7). VIDEO: de Boer discusses impact of CKD on cardiometabolic disease. Healio. https://www.healio.com/news/nephrology/20210707/video-de-boer-discusses-impact-of-ckd-on-cardiometabolic-disease