This year’s theme for National Kidney Month is “Get to Know Your Kidneys” Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often overlooked until symptoms appear. This is why it’s especially important to be aware of risk factors for CKD and the serious complications that can occur.

Approximately 15% of U.S. adults are living with CKD, and most (9 in 10) are unaware of their diagnosis.

Several guidelines recommend to regularly screen patients at increased risk. CKD risk factors include diabetes and high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, family history of CKD, past damage to the kidneys, and older age.

Roughly 10% of patients with CKD and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) are aware of their diagnosis. In patients with T2D, earlier stages of CKD are more common than late stages; however, an analysis of laboratory results from 2006-16 showed that 35% – 45% of patients with CKD stages 2-4 progressed to a worse stage of kidney disease within five years. This reinforces the need to meet patients earlier in their diagnosis and prevent progression to later stages.

To assist in conversations about the progression of CKD, notably the drivers of disease and opportunities for earlier diagnosis and intervention, a digital brochure is available from AstraZeneca. The brochure is provided by AstraZeneca Medical Information.