Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in people with diabetes. Approximately one in three adults with diabetes has CKD, and any type, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, can cause kidney disease [1]. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the rate of chronic kidney disease in the United States has increased in recent years, along with increased rates of diabetes [2].
Less than 10% of patients with early-stage kidney disease are aware they have chronic kidney disease (CKD) [3]. Identifying and managing diabetes is a key part of lowering the risk of kidney disease. Here’s how LetsGetChecked’s at-home screening tests can help patients access vital health insights that enable them to improve their health outcomes and lower long-term healthcare costs.
The connection between diabetes and chronic kidney disease
The kidneys are made of millions of nephrons which act as filters, removing water from the blood. Diabetes can cause this filtering system to break down, leading to kidney damage and, if left untreated, kidney disease. The increase in CKD and diagnoses of diabetes shows a correlation between the two conditions. Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop CKD [4].
About one in five people with a diabetes diagnosis are unaware that they have diabetes [5]. This lack of awareness is a significant problem since these individuals have an even greater risk of developing CKD. While a diabetes diagnosis does not guarantee that an individual will develop CKD, regular screening remains an important part of early identification and intervention.
The importance of screening for diabetes and chronic kidney disease
The first step to identifying and managing diabetes and preventing it from spurring into chronic kidney disease is to undergo screening for it. This is especially true if a person knows that they are at risk. Still, screening remains crucial for all since most diabetes, and chronic kidney disease cases are asymptomatic in the early stages.
A screening test can give patients the health insights they need to make better healthcare decisions and lifestyle adjustments. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends screening patients with type 2 diabetes for CKD from the start of diagnosis and annually thereafter [6]. Screening can not only improve health outcomes but also lower long-term healthcare costs. Identifying and intervening at an early stage usually leads to better health outcomes so that health plans and providers don’t have to pay for higher-cost treatments and services.
Partnering with LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked’s at-home healthcare solutions, including our Diabetes Test and Kidney Test, can make screening more accessible for patients. We work with health plans and providers to meet patients where they are, enabling them to overcome barriers to screening. Our at-home tests integrate easily with your service offering, making it easier for members of your population to stay up-to-date on recommended screenings and manage existing conditions.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/prevention-risk/make-the-connection.html
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2207018
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease
- https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a41694181/study-chronic-kidney-disease-linked-diabetes/
- https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/programs-impact/pop/diabetes.htm
- https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(20)30933-2/fulltext
