Considerations on equity in management of end-stage kidney disease in low- and middle-income countries

Chronic Kidney Disease in Brazil: Current Status and Recommended Improvements

Background

Over the last 3 decades, over 700 million individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a 2017 survey in southern Brazil, 11.4% of those surveyed had CKD. Early identification and effective therapy in Brazil may reduce CKD's impact. This panel discusses the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD and the barriers and actions needed to improve the management of CKD in Brazil. A panel of Brazilian nephrologists was provided with relevant questions to address before a multiday conference. During this meeting, each narrative was discussed and edited through several rounds until agreement on the relevant topics and recommendations was achieved.

Summary

Panelists highlighted hurdles to early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. These include, but are not limited to, a lack of public and patient education, updated recommendations, multidisciplinary CKD treatment, and a national CKD database. People-centered, physician-centered, and healthcare institution-centered actions can be taken to improve outcomes. Patient empowerment is needed via multiple channels of CKD education and access to health-monitoring wearables and apps. Primary care clinicians and nonspecialists must be trained to screen and manage CKD-causing illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension. The healthcare system may implement a national health data gathering system, more screening tests, automated test result reporting, and telehealth.

Key Messages

Increasing access to early diagnosis can provide a path to improving care for patients with CKD. Concerted efforts from all stakeholders are needed to overcome the barriers.

Dynamic measurements of geographical accessibility considering traffic congestion using open data: a cross-sectional assessment for haemodialysis services in Cali, Colombia

Background

Many cities with traffic congestion lack accessibility assessments accounting for traffic congestion and equity considerations but have disaggregated georeferenced municipal-level open data on health services, populations, and travel times big data. We convened a multistakeholder intersectoral collaborative group that developed a digital, web-based platform integrating open and big data to derive dynamic spatial-temporal accessibility measurements (DSTAM) for haemodialysis services. We worked with stakeholders and data scientists and considered people's places of residence, service locations, and travel time to the service with the shortest travel time. Additionally, we predicted the impacts of strategically introducing haemodialysis services where they optimise accessibility.

Methods

Cross-sectional analyses of DSTAM, accounting for traffic congestion, were conducted using a web-based platform. This platform integrated traffic analysis zones, public census and health services datasets, and Google Distance Matrix API travel-time data. Predictive and prescriptive analytics identified optimal locations for new haemodialysis services and estimated improvements. Primary outcomes included the percentage of residents within a 20-min car drive of a haemodialysis service during peak and free-flow traffic congestion. Secondary outcomes focused on optimal locations to maximise accessibility with new services and potential improvements. Findings were disaggregated by sociodemographic characteristics, providing an equity perspective. The study in Cali, Colombia, used geographic and disaggregated sociodemographic data from the adjusted 2018 Colombian census. Predicted travel times were obtained for two weeks in 2020.

Findings

There were substantial traffic variations. Congestion reduced accessibility, especially among marginalised groups. For 6-12 July, free-flow and peak-traffic accessibility rates were 95.2% and 45.0%, respectively. For 23-29 November, free-flow and peak traffic accessibility rates were 89.1% and 69.7%. The locations where new services would optimise accessibility had slight variation and would notably enhance accessibility and health equity.

Interpretation

Establishing haemodialysis services in targeted areas has significant potential benefits. By increasing accessibility, it would enhance urban health and equity.

Funding

No external or institutional funding was received.

A qualitative study on the lived experiences of individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) accessing haemodialysis in Northern Ghana

BACKGROUND

Haemodialysis is Ghana's most common form of renal replacement therapy for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, limited research has explored the experiences of individuals with ESKD receiving haemodialysis in relatively poorer regions, especially in the northern part of the country. This study explored individuals' experiences with accessing haemodialysis in northern Ghana and was guided by Levesque's conceptual framework of access to healthcare.

METHODS

The study utilized a phenomenological design, and participants were recruited through the purposive sampling method. Individuals with ESKD receiving haemodialysis for at least three months were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

RESULTS

Most of the participants had a history of hypertension that progressed to ESKD due to poor management practices - mainly purchasing antihypertensive drugs over the counter without visits to the hypertensive clinic contributed greatly to the delay in diagnosing ESKD in northern Ghana. The geographical location of the dialysis centre and limited dialysis machines were the key barriers to adequate access to dialysis. Many participants had two dialysis sessions per week instead of thrice a week. Some were even having one session per week due to the distance from their residence to the dialysis centre and the costs involved.

CONCLUSION

Access to haemodialysis for individuals with ESKD in the northern part of the country is relatively limited in many ways compared with that in the southern part of the country. Health policies should include funding for haemodialysis and a collaboration with pharmaceutical companies to consider manufacturing dialysis concentrates to reduce the cost. Additionally, there should be deliberate efforts to design and implement programs to promote ESKD awareness in the country, especially in relatively poorer regions.

Challenges in the Care of Patients with AKI Receiving Outpatient Dialysis: AKINow Recovery Workgroup Report

BACKGROUND

Up to one third of survivors of AKI that required dialysis (AKI-D) during hospitalization remain dialysis dependent at hospital discharge. Of these, 20%-60%, depending on the clinical setting, eventually recover enough kidney function to stop dialysis, and the remainder progress to ESKD.

METHODS

To describe the challenges facing those still receiving dialysis on discharge, the AKINow Committee conducted a group discussion comprising 59 participants, including physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and patients. The discussion was framed by a patient who described gaps in care delivery at different transition points and miscommunication between care team members and the patient.

RESULTS

Group discussions collected patient perspectives of ( 1 ) being often scared and uncertain about what is happening to and around them and ( 2 ) the importance of effective and timely communication, a comfortable physical setting, and attentive and caring health care providers for a quality health care experience. Provider perspectives included ( 1 ) the recognition of the lack of evidence-based practices and quality indicators, the significant variability in current care models, and the uncertain reimbursement incentives focused on kidney recovery and ( 2 ) the urgency to address communication barriers among hospital providers and outpatient facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

The workgroup identified key areas for future research and policy change to ( 1 ) improve communication among hospital providers, dialysis units, and patients/care partners; ( 2 ) develop tools for risk classification, subphenotyping, and augmented clinical decision support; ( 3 ) improve education to providers, staff, and patients/care partners; ( 4 ) identify best practices to improve relevant outcomes; ( 5 ) validate quality indicators; and ( 6 ) assess the effect of social determinants of health on outcomes. We urge all stakeholders involved in the process of AKI-D care to align goals and work together to fill knowledge gaps and optimize the care to this highly vulnerable patient population.

Inequities in kidney health and kidney care

Health inequity refers to the existence of unnecessary and unfair differences in the ability of an individual or community to achieve optimal health and access appropriate care. Kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, are the epitome of health inequity. Kidney disease risk and outcomes are strongly associated with inequities that occur across the entire clinical course of disease. Insufficient investment across the spectrum of kidney health and kidney care is a fundamental source of inequity. In addition, social and structural inequities, including inequities in access to primary health care, education and preventative strategies, are major risk factors for, and contribute to, poorer outcomes for individuals living with kidney diseases. Access to affordable kidney care is also highly inequitable, resulting in financial hardship and catastrophic health expenditure for the most vulnerable. Solutions to these injustices require leadership and political will. The nephrology community has an important role in advocacy and in identifying and implementing solutions to dismantle inequities that affect kidney health.

Causal effects of systemic inflammatory regulators on chronic kidney diseases and renal function: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

Background

While targeted systemic inflammatory modulators show promise in preventing chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, the causal link between specific inflammatory factors and CKD remains uncertain.

Methods

Using a genome-wide association study of 41 serum cytokines from 8,293 Finnish individuals, we conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. In addition, we genetically predicted causal associations between inflammatory factors and 5 phenotypes, including CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), dialysis, rapid progression of CKD, and rapid decline in eGFR. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) served as the primary MR method, while MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) were utilized for sensitivity analysis. Cochrane's Q test for heterogeneity. Leave-one-out method ensured stability of MR results, and Bonferroni correction assessed causal relationship strength.

Results

Seventeen cytokines were associated with diverse renal outcomes. Among them, after Bonferroni correction test, higher tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were associated with a rapid decrease in eGFR (OR = 1.064, 95% CI 1.028 - 1.103, P = 0.001), higher interleukin-4 levels were associated with an increase in eGFR (β = 0.003, 95% CI 0.001 - 0.005, P = 0.002), and higher growth regulated oncogene alpha (GROα) levels were associated with an increased risk of CKD (OR=1.035, 95% CI 1.012 - 1.058, P = 0.003). In contrast, genetic susceptibility to CKD was associated with an increase in GROa, and a decrease in eGFR may lead to an increase in stem cell factor. We did not find the presence of horizontal pleiotropy during the analysis.

Conclusion

We discovered causally related inflammatory factors that contribute to the initiation and progression of CKD at the genetic prediction level.

The hidden financial catastrophe of chronic kidney disease under universal coverage and Thai "Peritoneal Dialysis First Policy"

Objective

Universal health coverage can decrease the magnitude of the individual patient's financial burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the residual financial hardship from the patients' perspective has not been well-studied in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to evaluate the residual financial burden in patients with CKD stage 3 to dialysis in the "PD First Policy" under Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) in Thailand.

Methods

This multicenter nationwide cross-sectional study in Thailand enrolled 1,224 patients with pre-dialysis CKD, hemodialysis (HD), and peritoneal dialysis (PD) covered by UCS and other health schemes for employees and civil servants. We interviewed patients to estimate the proportion with catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and medical impoverishment. The risk factors associated with CHE were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Under UCS, the total out-of-pocket expenditure in HD was over two times higher than PD and nearly six times higher than CKD stages 3-4. HD suffered significantly more CHE and medical impoverishment than PD and pre-dialysis CKD [CHE: 8.5, 9.3, 19.5, 50.0% (p < 0.001) and medical impoverishment: 8.0, 3.1, 11.5, 31.6% (p < 0.001) for CKD Stages 3-4, Stage 5, PD, and HD, respectively]. In the poorest quintile of UCS, medical impoverishment was present in all HD and two-thirds of PD patients. Travel cost was the main driver of CHE in HD. In UCS, the adjusted risk of CHE increased in PD and HD (OR: 3.5 and 16.3, respectively) compared to CKD stage 3.

Conclusions

Despite universal coverage, the residual financial burden remained high in patients with kidney failure. CHE was considerably lower in PD than HD, although the rates remained alarmingly high in the poor. The "PD First' program" could serve as a model for other LMICs. However, strategies to minimize financial distress should be further developed, especially for the poor.

The need for screening, early diagnosis, and prediction of chronic kidney disease in people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries-a review of the current literature

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with diabetes is becoming an increasing major public health concern, disproportionately burdening low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This rising burden is due to various factors, including the lack of disease awareness that results in late referral and the cost of screening and consequent treatment of the comorbid conditions, as well as other factors endemic to LMICs relating to inadequate management of risk factors. We critically assessed the extant literature, by performing searches of Medline via PubMed, EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Web of Science, for studies pertaining to screening, diagnosis, and prediction of CKD amongst adults with diabetes in LMICs, using relevant key terms. The relevant studies were summarized through key themes derived from the Wilson and Jungner criteria. We found that screening for CKD in people with diabetes is generally infrequent in LMICs. Also, LMICs are ill-equipped to appropriately manage diabetes-associated CKD, especially its late stages, in which supportive care and kidney replacement therapy (KRT) might be required. There are acceptable and relatively simple tools that can aid diabetes-associated CKD screening in these countries; however, these tools come with limitations. Thus, effective implementation of diabetes-associated CKD screening in LMICs remains a challenge, and the cost-effectiveness of such an undertaking largely remains to be explored. In conclusion, for many compelling reasons, screening for CKD in people with diabetes should be a high policy priority in LMICs, as the huge cost associated with higher mortality and morbidity in this group and the cost of KRT offers a compelling economic incentive for improving early detection of diabetes in CKD.

NCD Countdown 2030: efficient pathways and strategic investments to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4 in low-income and middle-income countries

Most countries have made little progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4, which calls for a reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by a third from 2015 to 2030. In this Health Policy paper, we synthesise the evidence related to interventions that can reduce premature mortality from the major NCDs over the next decade and that are feasible to implement in countries at all levels of income. Our recommendations are intended as generic guidance to help 123 low-income and middle-income countries meet SDG target 3.4; country-level applications require additional analyses and consideration of the local implementation and utilisation context. Protecting current investments and scaling up these interventions is especially crucial in the context of COVID-19-related health system disruptions. We show how cost-effectiveness data and other information can be used to define locally tailored packages of interventions to accelerate rates of decline in NCD mortality. Under realistic implementation constraints, most countries could achieve (or almost achieve) the NCD target using a combination of these interventions; the greatest gains would be for cardiovascular disease mortality. Implementing the most efficient package of interventions in each world region would require, on average, an additional US$18 billion annually over 2023-30; this investment could avert 39 million deaths and generate an average net economic benefit of $2·7 trillion, or $390 per capita. Although specific clinical intervention pathways would vary across countries and regions, policies to reduce behavioural risks, such as tobacco smoking, harmful use of alcohol, and excess sodium intake, would be relevant in nearly every country, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the health gains of any locally tailored NCD package. By 2030, ministries of health would need to contribute about 20% of their budgets to high-priority NCD interventions. Our report concludes with a discussion of financing and health system implementation considerations and reflections on the NCD agenda beyond the SDG target 3.4 and beyond the SDG period.

Addressing the Ethical Challenges of Providing Kidney Failure Care for Children: A Global Stance

Children with kidney failure require kidney replacement therapy (KRT), namely maintenance dialysis and kidney transplant. Adequate kidney failure care consists of KRT or conservative treatment with palliative care. In the context of kidney failure, children depend on parents who are their surrogate decision-makers, and the pediatric nephrology team for taking decisions about KRT or conservative care. In this paper, we discuss the ethical challenges that arise relating to such decision-making, from a global perspective, using the framework of pediatric bioethics. While many ethical dilemmas in the care of children with KRT are universal, the most significant ethical dilemma is the inequitable access to KRT in low & middle income countries (LMICs) where rates of morbidity and mortality depend on the family's ability to pay. Children with kidney failure in LMICs have inadequate access to maintenance dialysis, timely kidney transplant and palliative care compared to their counterparts in high income countries. Using case vignettes, we highlight how these disparities place severe burdens on caregivers, resulting in difficult decision-making, and lead to moral distress among pediatric nephrologists. We conclude with key action points to change this status-quo, the most important being advocacy by the global pediatric nephrology community for better access to affordable kidney failure care for children.

Paediatric kidney transplantation in under-resourced regions-a panoramic view

Kidney transplantation is the ideal choice of kidney replacement therapy in children as it offers a low risk of mortality and a better quality of life. A wide variance in the access to kidney replacement therapies exists across the world with only 21% of low- and low-middle income countries (LLMIC) undertaking kidney transplantation. Pediatric kidney transplantation rates in these under-resourced regions are reported to be as low as < 4 pmcp [per million child population]. A robust kidney failure care program forms the cornerstone of a transplant program. Even the smallest transplant program entails a multidisciplinary workforce and expertise besides ensuring family commitment towards long-term care and economic burden. In general, the short-term graft survival rates from under-resourced regions are comparable to most high-income countries (HIC) and the challenge lies in the long-term outcomes. This review focuses on specific issues relevant to kidney transplants in children in under-resourced regions by highlighting limitations in the capacity and health workforce, regulatory norms, medical issues, economic burden, factors beyond financial hardship and ethical considerations relevant to these regions. Finally, the perspective of strengthening transplant programs in these regions should factor in the bigger challenges that exist in achieving the health-related sustainable development goals by 2030.

Diagnostic Yield of Population-Based Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease in Low-Income, Middle-Income, and High-Income Countries

IMPORTANCE

Population-based screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is sometimes recommended based on the assumption that detecting CKD is associated with beneficial changes in treatment. However, the treatment of CKD is often similar to the treatment of hypertension or diabetes, which commonly coexist with CKD.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency with which population-based screening for CKD is associated with a change in recommended treatment compared with a strategy of measuring blood pressure and assessing glycemia.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study was conducted using data obtained from studies that evaluated CKD in population-based samples from China (2007-2010), India (2010-2014), Mexico (2007-2008), Senegal (2012), and the United States (2009-2014), including a total of 126 242 adults screened for CKD. Data were analyzed from January 2020 to March 2021.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary definition of CKD was estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. For individuals with CKD, the need for a treatment change was defined as not taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker or having blood pressure levels of 140/90 mm Hg or greater. For individuals with CKD who also had diabetes, the need for a treatment change was also defined as having hemoglobin A1c levels of 8% or greater or fasting glucose levels of 178.4 mg/dL (9.9 mmol/L) or greater. Case finding was defined as testing for CKD only in adults with hypertension or diabetes.

RESULTS

Among 126 242 adults screened for CKD, there were 47 204 patients in the China cohort, 9817 patients in the India cohort, 51 137 patients in the Mexico cohort, 2441 patients in the Senegal cohort, and 15 643 patients in the US cohort. The mean age of participants was 49.6 years (95% CI, 49.5-49.7 years) in the China cohort, 42.9 years (95% CI, 42.6-43.2 years) in the India cohort, 51.6 years (95% CI, 51.5-51.7 years) in the Mexico cohort, 48.2 years (95% CI, 47.5-48.9 years) in the Senegal cohort, and 47.3 years (95% CI, 46.6-48.0 years) in the US cohort. The proportion of women was 57.3% (95% CI, 56.9%-57.7%) in the China cohort, 53.4% (95% CI, 52.4%-54.4%) in the India cohort, 68.8% (95% CI, 68.4%-69.2%) in the Mexico cohort, 56.0% (95% CI, 54.0%-58.0%) in the Senegal cohort, and 51.9% (51.0%-52.7%) in the US cohort. The prevalence of CKD was 2.5% (95% CI, 2.4%-2.7%) in the China cohort, 2.3% (95% CI, 2.0%-2.6%) in the India cohort, 10.6% (95% CI, 10.3%-10.9%) in the Mexico cohort, 13.1% (95% CI, 11.7%-14.4%) in the Senegal cohort, and 6.8% (95% CI, 6.2%-7.5%) in the US cohort. Screening for CKD was associated with the identification of additional adults whose treatment would change (beyond those identified by measuring blood pressure and glycemia) per 1000 adults: China: 8 adults (95% CI, 8-9 adults); India: 5 adults (95% CI, 4-7 adults); Mexico: 26 adults (95% CI, 24-27 adults); Senegal: 59 adults (95% CI, 50-69 adults); and the US: 19 adults (95% CI, 16-23 adults). Case finding was associated with the identification of 46.2% (95% CI, 45.1%-47.4%) to 86.4% (95% CI, 85.4%-87.3%) of individuals with CKD depending on the country, an increase in the proportion of individuals requiring a treatment change by as much 89.6% (95% CI, 80.4%-99.3%) in the US, and a decrease in the proportion of individuals needing GFR measurements by as much as 57.8% (95% CI, 56.3%-59.3%) in the US.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found that most additional individuals with CKD identified by population-based screening programs did not need a change in treatment compared with a strategy of measuring blood pressure and assessing glycemia and that case finding was more efficient than screening for early detection of CKD.

Choice of dialysis modality among patients initiating dialysis: results of the Peridialysis study

Background

In patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), home dialysis offers socio-economic and health benefits compared with in-centre dialysis but is generally underutilized. We hypothesized that the pre-dialysis course and institutional factors affect the choice of dialysis modality after dialysis initiation (DI).

Methods

The Peridialysis study is a multinational, multicentre prospective observational study assessing the causes and timing of DI and consequences of suboptimal DI. Clinical and biochemical data, details of the pre-dialytic course, reasons for DI and causes of the choice of dialysis modality were registered.

Results

Among 1587 included patients, 516 (32.5%) were judged unsuitable for home dialysis due to contraindications [384 ( 24.2%)] or no assessment [106 (6.7%); mainly due to late referral and/or suboptimal DI] or death [26 (1.6%)]. Older age, comorbidity, late referral, suboptimal DI, acute illness and rapid loss of renal function associated with unsuitability. Of the remaining 1071 patients, 700 (65.4%) chose peritoneal dialysis (61.7%) or home haemodialysis (HD; 3.6%), while 371 (34.6%) chose in-centre HD. Somatic differences between patients choosing home dialysis and in-centre dialysis were minor; factors linked to the choice of in-centre dialysis were late referral, suboptimal DI, acute illness and absence of a ‘home dialysis first’ institutional policy.

Conclusions

Given a personal choice with shared decision making, 65.4% of ESKD patients choose home dialysis. Our data indicate that the incidence of home dialysis potentially could be further increased to reduce the incidence of late referral and unplanned DI and, in acutely ill patients, by implementing an educational programme after improvement of their clinical condition.

Ethical Challenges in Dialysis and Transplantation: Perspectives From the Developing World

Renal replacement therapies including dialysis and transplantation for patients with end-stage kidney failure are treatment options beyond the reach of a large segment of the population, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Health care professionals practicing within developing countries face unique ethical issues in the provision of these treatment options despite the existence of free treatment at different centers. Apart from issues of accessibility of dialysis services, initiation of treatment can have disastrous consequences for the entire family unit, which is magnified in collectivist societies. Several cost-cutting measures also may have to be used that raise moral dilemmas for physicians. Although transplantation is considered the most cost-effective solution in developing countries, leading to significantly better quality of life, issues of consent from biologically related living donors and the use of marginal donors may place physicians in a quandary. Policy making in developing countries must consider the socioeconomic implications of treatment choices that extend far beyond the treatment cost.

Global Epidemiology of End-Stage Kidney Disease and Disparities in Kidney Replacement Therapy

BACKGROUND

The global epidemiology of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) reflects each nation's unique genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and sociodemographic characteristics. The response to ESKD, particularly regarding kidney replacement therapy (KRT), depends on local disease burden, culture, and socioeconomics. Here, we explore geographic variation and global trends in ESKD incidence and prevalence and examine variations in KRT modality, practice patterns, and mortality. We conclude with a discussion on disparities in access to KRT and strategies to reduce ESKD global burden and to improve access to treatment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

SUMMARY

From 2003 to 2016, incidence rates of treated ESKD were relatively stable in many higher income countries but rose substantially predominantly in East and Southeast Asia. The prevalence of treated ESKD has increased worldwide, likely due to improving ESKD survival, population demographic shifts, higher prevalence of ESKD risk factors, and increasing KRT access in countries with growing economies. Unadjusted 5-year survival of ESKD patients on KRT was 41% in the USA, 48% in Europe, and 60% in Japan. Dialysis is the predominant KRT in most countries, with hemodialysis being the most common modality. Variations in dialysis practice patterns account for some of the differences in survival outcomes globally. Worldwide, there is a greater prevalence of KRT at higher income levels, and the number of people who die prematurely because of lack of KRT access is estimated at up to 3 times higher than the number who receive treatment. Key Messages: Many people worldwide in need of KRT as a life-sustaining treatment do not receive it, mostly in LMICs where health care resources are severely limited. This large treatment gap demands a focus on population-based prevention strategies and development of affordable and cost-effective KRT. Achieving global equity in KRT access will require concerted efforts in advocating effective public policy, health care delivery, workforce capacity, education, research, and support from the government, private sector, nongovernmental, and professional organizations.

Dispelling the myths of providing dialysis in low- and middle-income countries

Public policy for kidney replacement therapy eludes most low- and middle-income countries owing to the seemingly low number of cases and high cost. Countries such as Thailand have shown that public health authorities can effectively provide treatment and elevate health care for populations by overcoming some common challenges.

Sustainable Development Goals relevant to kidney health: an update on progress

Globally, more than 5 million people die annually from lack of access to critical treatments for kidney disease — by 2040, chronic kidney disease is projected to be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. Kidney diseases are particularly challenging to tackle because they are pathologically diverse and are often asymptomatic. As such, kidney disease is often diagnosed late, and the global burden of kidney disease continues to be underappreciated. When kidney disease is not detected and treated early, patient care requires specialized resources that drive up cost, place many people at risk of catastrophic health expenditure and pose high opportunity costs for health systems. Prevention of kidney disease is highly cost-effective but requires a multisectoral holistic approach. Each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) has the potential to impact kidney disease risk or improve early diagnosis and treatment, and thus reduce the need for high-cost care. All countries have agreed to strive to achieve the SDGs, but progress is disjointed and uneven among and within countries. The six SDG Transformations framework can be used to examine SDGs with relevance to kidney health that require attention and reveal inter-linkages among the SDGs that should accelerate progress.

Working towards sustainable development is essential to tackle the rise in the global burden of non-communicable diseases, including kidney disease. Five years after the Sustainable Development Goal agenda was set, this Review examines the progress thus far, highlighting future challenges and opportunities, and explores the implications for kidney disease.

Each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) has the potential to improve kidney health and prevent kidney disease by improving the general health and well-being of individuals and societies, and by protecting the environment.

Achievement of each SDG is interrelated to the achievement of multiple other SDGs; therefore, a multisectoral approach is required.

The global burden of kidney disease has been relatively underestimated because of a lack of data.

Structural violence and the social determinants of health have an important impact on kidney disease risk.

Kidney disease is the leading global cause of catastrophic health expenditure, in part because of the high costs of kidney replacement therapy.

Achievement of universal health coverage is the minimum requirement to ensure sustainable and affordable access to early detection and quality treatment of kidney disease and/or its risk factors, which should translate to a reduction in the burden of kidney failure in the future.

Strategic plan for integrated care of patients with kidney failure

There is a huge gap between the number of patients worldwide requiring versus those actually receiving safe, sustainable, and equitable care for kidney failure. To address this, the International Society of Nephrology coordinated the development of a Strategic Plan for Integrated Care of Patients with Kidney Failure. Implementation of the plan will require engagement of the whole kidney community over the next 5-10 years.

Achieving dialysis adequacy: A global perspective

Dialysis adequacy is conventionally quantified as net urea clearance. Single pool (sp) Kt/V_urea remains the best studied measure of dialysis adequacy globally. Other measures such as fluid status control, anemia correction, and mineral metabolism are monitored variably. Increasing use of hemodiafiltration across Europe and many parts of Japan and Australia is predicated on studies showing better patient survival with middle molecule clearance. Apart from local clinical practice guidelines, the income level and public health policy of a country determine quality of dialysis services. Among developed nations, small solute clearance adequacy targets are achieved with high frequency. In the United States, dialysis adequacy target is met by focussing on high blood flow rates and large dialyzer size, sometimes at the cost of session time. In Japan, Australia, and Germany, session length is given importance. Dialysis adequacy reporting is restricted and inconsistent in developing nations. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Russia and Malaysia, respectively, are close to achieving dialysis adequacy target (spKt/V_urea ≥1.2) universally in their dialysis populations. Patient-reported outcomes are typically measured only in developed countries. Patient survival on dialysis, partly linked to dialysis adequacy, varies greatly around the world, with Japan having the best survival rates. Until the development of better markers of dialysis adequacy, universal consistency in reporting of conventional parameters with a focus on patient-reported measures should be endeavored.

Early Detection of CKD: Implications for Low-Income, Middle-Income, and High-Income Countries

CKD is common, costly, and associated with adverse health outcomes. Because inexpensive treatments can slow the rate of kidney function loss, and because CKD is asymptomatic until its later stages, the idea of early detection of CKD to improve outcomes ignites enthusiasm, especially in low- and middle-income countries where renal replacement is often unavailable or unaffordable. Available data and prior experience suggest that the benefits of population-based screening for CKD are uncertain; that there is potential for harms; that screening is not a wise use of resources, even in high-income countries; and that screening has substantial opportunity costs in low- and middle-income countries that offset its hypothesized benefits. In contrast, some of the factors that diminish the value of population-based screening (such as markedly higher prevalence of CKD in people with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, as well as high preexisting use of kidney testing in such patients) substantially increase the appeal of searching for CKD in people with known kidney risk factors (case finding) in high-income countries as well as in low- and middle-income countries. For both screening and case finding, detection of new cases is the easiest component; the real challenge is ensuring appropriate management for a chronic disease, usually for years or even decades. This review compares and contrasts the benefits, harms, and opportunity costs associated with these two approaches to early detection of CKD. We also suggest criteria (discussed separately for high-income countries and for low- and middle-income countries) to use in assessing when countries should consider case finding versus when they should consider foregoing systematic attempts at early detection and focus on management of known cases.