Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

Tracks CKD staging with eGFR trends, nephrology referral criteria, and medication adjustments.

Why This Skill Exists

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 37 million U.S. adults (15% of the population), yet 90% are unaware of their diagnosis. CKD is the ninth leading cause of death and a potent multiplier of cardiovascular risk—a patient with CKD stage 3 is more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than to progress to dialysis. KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) 2024 guidelines provide the framework for staging, monitoring, and treatment, with transformative new evidence for SGLT2 inhibitors and finerenone.

Primary care clinicians manage the majority of CKD stages 1-3b and are responsible for early detection, cardiovascular risk reduction, medication dose adjustments, and timely nephrology referral. Common gaps include using outdated eGFR equations (race-based), missing albuminuria testing, delaying SGLT2 inhibitor initiation, and failing to adjust renally-cleared medications. This skill enforces KDIGO-based CKD management from screening through advanced disease coordination.

Checkpoint A: Pre-Draft Intake (Mandatory)

1. What is the patient's most recent eGFR and date (CKD-EPI 2021 equation, race-neutral)? Default: [REQUIRED]
2. What is the most recent UACR (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio)? Default: [REQUIRED if not recently checked]
3. Has CKD been confirmed (eGFR <60 or UACR ≥30 on ≥2 occasions ≥3 months apart)? Default: confirm
4. What is the CKD etiology (diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, PKD, other)? Default: assess
5. What medications require renal dose adjustment or are nephrotoxic? Default: per med list
6. Is the patient on an ACEi/ARB? An SGLT2 inhibitor? Default: per med list
7. What are the patient's most recent potassium, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphorus, PTH, and hemoglobin? Default: pending
8. Has the patient been referred to nephrology? Default: assess if indicated

Documents to Request

• eGFR trend (minimum 3 values over 12 months for trajectory analysis)
• UACR trend (minimum 2 values to confirm persistence)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel with bicarbonate
• Phosphorus, intact PTH, 25-OH vitamin D
• CBC with hemoglobin trend
• Lipid panel
• Urinalysis with microscopy
• Renal ultrasound (if not previously obtained)
• Hepatitis B/C serology (if not previously tested)
• Current medication list annotated with renal clearance considerations

Step 1: CKD Staging and Risk Classification

KDIGO GFR Categories:

KDIGO Albuminuria Categories:

Risk classification uses the GxAx matrix to determine monitoring frequency and referral urgency. Higher GFR stage + higher albuminuria = higher risk of progression.

CKD-EPI 2021 equation (race-neutral): mandatory per NKF/ASN joint statement. Do NOT use race-based eGFR.

Step 2: Slowing Progression — Core Interventions

eGFR dip protocol for ACEi/ARB and SGLT2i:

• Expected initial eGFR decline of 10-30% is hemodynamic and renoprotective; do NOT discontinue
• Recheck BMP in 2-4 weeks after initiation or dose change
• Discontinue if: eGFR drop >30% from baseline, potassium >5.5 (despite dietary modification), or symptomatic hypotension

Step 3: CKD Complications Management

Step 4: Medication Dose Adjustments

Step 5: Monitoring Schedule and Nephrology Referral

Monitoring frequency by KDIGO risk category:

Nephrology referral criteria (refer when ANY of the following):

• eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m² (G4-G5)
• Rapid eGFR decline (>5 mL/min/year sustained)
• UACR >300 mg/g (A3 / nephrotic-range proteinuria)
• Persistent hematuria with proteinuria (glomerulonephritis evaluation)
• Refractory hypertension despite ≥4 agents
• Persistent hyperkalemia (>5.5) limiting RAAS blockade
• Unexplained anemia with eGFR <45
• CKD of unknown etiology
• Hereditary kidney disease (PKD, Alport syndrome)
• Recurrent nephrolithiasis with CKD progression
• eGFR <20: discuss dialysis modality and AV access planning

Checkpoint B: Post-Draft Alignment (Mandatory)

1. Is CKD staged by both GFR category and albuminuria category (e.g., G3a-A2)?
2. Is the patient on an ACEi/ARB if UACR ≥30 or hypertensive?
3. Has an SGLT2 inhibitor been initiated or documented as not indicated?
4. Are all renally-cleared medications dose-adjusted for current eGFR?
5. Has nephrology referral been triggered if criteria met?

Quality Audit

• CKD diagnosis confirmed with ≥2 eGFR or UACR values ≥3 months apart
• CKD staged by both GFR category (G1-G5) and albuminuria category (A1-A3)
• CKD-EPI 2021 race-neutral equation used for eGFR calculation
• eGFR trajectory plotted (at least 3 values over 12 months) to assess rate of decline
• UACR checked at least annually (more frequently if A2-A3)
• ACEi or ARB prescribed and titrated to max tolerated dose if UACR ≥30 or HTN
• SGLT2 inhibitor prescribed if eGFR ≥20 and UACR ≥200 (or other KDIGO indications)
• Finerenone considered for T2DM + CKD with persistent albuminuria on max ACEi/ARB
• Potassium and creatinine checked within 2-4 weeks of RAAS/SGLT2i initiation or dose change
• Nephrotoxic medications identified and discontinued or dose-adjusted (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides)
• CKD complications screened: anemia, acidosis, hyperkalemia, CKD-MBD
• Nephrology referral placed if eGFR <30, rapid decline, or refractory complications
• Vaccination status reviewed (Hepatitis B series if not immune; influenza, pneumococcal)
• Patient educated on CKD stage, prognosis, and self-management (sodium restriction, medication safety)

Guidelines

• Never use race-based eGFR equations; the CKD-EPI 2021 race-neutral equation is the current standard per NKF/ASN joint statement
• ACEi and ARB should NOT be combined (dual RAAS blockade increases hyperkalemia and AKI without additional benefit per ONTARGET/VA NEPHRON-D)
• An initial eGFR dip of up to 30% after starting ACEi/ARB or SGLT2i is expected and hemodynamically mediated; this is NOT a reason to discontinue unless the decline is greater than 30% or accompanied by hyperkalemia
• SGLT2 inhibitors can be initiated at eGFR ≥20 mL/min/1.73m² and continued until dialysis per DAPA-CKD and EMPA-KIDNEY data; do NOT withhold based on older eGFR cutoffs
• NSAIDs are CONTRAINDICATED in CKD regardless of stage due to hemodynamic effects on GFR and direct nephrotoxicity; this includes OTC ibuprofen and naproxen
• Metformin is safe at eGFR ≥30 but should be reduced to 1000mg/day if eGFR 30-45 and discontinued below 30; the 2016 FDA safety update relaxed the prior eGFR <60 restriction
• Patients with CKD G4-G5 should have AV fistula discussion and nephrology co-management for dialysis planning ≥12 months before anticipated dialysis start
• Every CKD patient should be offered the complete Hepatitis B vaccine series if not already immune (anti-HBs titer); CKD patients have impaired vaccine response and may need higher doses