Introduction:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by structural or functional changes in the kidneys that persist for at least three months. Although the diagnostic criteria and risk factors for CKD are well-established, the proportion of patients in advanced stages of the disease continues to rise. Therefore, this initiative aims to assess renal function by measuring serum creatinine in individuals with CKD risk factors on World Kidney Day in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.
Methods:
This descriptive study collected sociodemographic and clinical data from participants during World Kidney Day, held in March 2024, in Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, Brazil. Data were gathered through a questionnaire that included information on gender, age, and CKD risk factors such as hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), smoking, use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and family history of CKD. Serum creatinine levels were measured using a point-of-care sensor meter with a capillary blood sample, followed by the calculation of the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) using the CKD-EPI formula. Participants with a GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² were classified according to the KDIGO guidelines.
Results:
Of the 205 respondents, 58% were women, and the mean age was 59.1 years (±14 years). Regarding CKD risk factors, 54.1% reported having hypertension, 23.4% had DM, and 12.2% were pre-diabetic. In terms of smoking, 25.9% identified as former smokers, 12.2% as current smokers, and 4.9% as passive smokers. Additionally, 48.8% reported using NSAIDs in the past three months. As for family history, 17.1% had a first-degree relative diagnosed with CKD. The serum creatinine levels of the first 70 individuals with at least one CKD risk factor were measured (based on the number of strips available for the action). According to the KDIGO classification, 28.5% had a GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m², with 60% in stage 3a and 40% in stage 3b. Of these, 85% were over 60 years old. Regarding comorbidities, approximately 30% reported having hypertension and 30% DM.
Conclusions:
This initiative identified a significant number of individuals with elevated creatinine levels, who were advised and referred for further evaluation, including tests such as creatinine and albuminuria. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of initiatives like World Kidney Day, which facilitate early diagnosis of CKD in at-risk populations, helping to prevent disease progression and unfavorable outcomes.
Some data from this work will be presented at the Brazilian Congress of Nephrology.
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.