
In asymptomatic adults without risk factors, screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unnecessary, suggests the American College of Physicians (ACP). ACP's new clinical practice guideline, "Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment of Stage 1-3 Chronic Kidney Disease", was published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP's flagship journal.
"There is no evidence that evaluated the benefits of screening for stage 1-3 chronic kidney disease," said Molly Cooke, MD, FACP, president, ACP. "The potential harms of all the screening tests -- false positives, disease labeling, and unnecessary treatment and associated adverse effects -- outweigh the benefits." The major risk factors for CKD include diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The current evidence is insufficient to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening in asymptomatic adults with risk factors.
ACP recommends against testing for proteinuria in adults with or without diabetes who are currently taking an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). For treatment, ACP recommends treating patients with hypertension and stage 1-3 CKD with either an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. ACP recommends a statin therapy to manage elevated low density lipoprotein in patients with stage 1-3 CKD. Head-to-head trials showed no difference in the outcomes between ACE inhibitors or ARBs. The risk of adverse effects significantly increased with an ACE inhibitor combined with an ARB combination therapy, including cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, and acute kidney failure requiring dialysis.
Source: Eurekalert
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