Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease: Epidemiological Analysis in a NorthEastern District of Italy Focusing on Access to Nephrological Care

Background: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study about the prevalence of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a high-income district, comparing some demographic characteristics and outcomes of those patients who had nephrological consultations and those who had not. Results: In a di...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Francesca K. Martino, Giulia Fanton, Fiammetta Zanetti, Mariarosa Carta, Federico Nalesso, Giacomo Novara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-02-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/4/1144
Description
Summary:Background: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study about the prevalence of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a high-income district, comparing some demographic characteristics and outcomes of those patients who had nephrological consultations and those who had not. Results: In a district of 400,000 adult subjects in 2020, 925 patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) under 15 mL/min and CKD. In the same period, 747 (80.4%) patients were assessed by nephrologists, while 178 (19.6%) were not. Age (88 vs. 75, <i>p</i> < 0.0001), female gender (66.3% vs. 47%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and eGFR (12 vs. 9 mL/min, <i>p</i> < 0.001) were significantly different in the patients assessed by a nephrologist as compared those who did not have nephrological care. Furthermore, unfollowed CKD patients had a significantly higher death rate, 83.1% versus 14.3% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Conclusions: About 20% of ESKD patients did not receive a nephrologist consultation. Older people and women were more likely not to be referred to nephrology clinics. Unfollowed patients with stage 5 CKD had a significantly higher death rate.
ISSN:2077-0383