Advances in™ Chronic Kidney Disease: Keys to Early Diagnosis and Successful Intervention

Target Audience
This online educational activity is directed toward primary care physicians, nephrologists, endocrinologists, physician assistants, and nurses specializing in kidney disorders.

Program Overview
A recent study by Bakris et al found that roughly 50% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had not been diagnosed. In the ADD-CKD trial, a nationwide study of primary care physicians that examined screening practices in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), 50% of patients did not receive screening, while almost 40% were screened but did not receive a diagnosis. In addition to deficiencies in recognizing CKD, effective treatment for DKD is a key unmet need. Although advances in diabetes care have substantially reduced the incidence of many diabetes complications, efforts to reduce progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD) have lagged behind. In therapeutics, many novel advancements are being made in the treatment of DKD. Studies are being conducted using agents ranging from allopurinol to endothelin receptor antagonists. One investigational class of non-glucose lowering agents, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, has resulted in improved renal outcomes among patients who present with diabetic nephropathy that remains uncontrolled with current glucose-lowering therapies.

In this program, George Bakris, MD, MA, outlines his strategies for diagnosing and monitoring CKD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), with a focus on slowing the progression of kidney disease. He reviews recent study results regarding existing and emerging therapies, and previews clinical trials that he anticipates will provide more answers regarding effective therapies for patients with CKD and novel renoprotective strategies.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Describe recommended diagnostic practices for CKD in patients with T2DM
Identify CKD as a unique disease with high risk of cardiovascular and renal comorbidities
Evaluate the efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and other therapies under investigation for treatment of patients with CKD
Recognize the complex pathophysiology of CKD and emerging approaches to intervene in disease progression