Recent research from the Karolinska Institutet has unveiled a new web-based tool designed for the early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study, published in the journal Kidney International, highlights how subtle abnormalities in kidney function, even within what is considered normal ranges, can indicate individuals at risk of developing CKD.
Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 10–15% of adults globally and is projected to rank among the top five leading causes of years of life lost by 2040. Unfortunately, due to the absence of effective screening programs, many patients receive diagnoses only after significant kidney function loss. The research aims to close this critical gap by providing healthcare professionals with the tools necessary for early intervention.
Innovative Approach to Kidney Health
The researchers constructed population-based distributions for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the most commonly used measure of kidney function. This innovative approach allows doctors to identify individuals at risk of CKD more efficiently. According to Yuanhang Yang, the first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Clinical Science and Education at Södersjukhuset, the team drew inspiration from pediatric growth and weight charts, which help clinicians recognize children at risk of obesity or undergrowth.
The eGFR distribution charts are now openly accessible to healthcare professionals, complemented by a user-friendly web-based calculator developed by Ph.D. student Antoine Creon. This tool enables clinicians to assess how a patient’s eGFR compares with population norms based on age and gender.
Significant Findings from a Large Study
The study analyzed data from over 1.1 million adults in Stockholm, Sweden, representing roughly 80% of the population aged between 40 and 100 years. Nearly seven million eGFR tests conducted between 2006 and 2021 were utilized to create age- and sex-specific distributions. The findings revealed that deviations from the median eGFR for an individual’s age and sex are linked to poorer health outcomes. Specifically, individuals with an eGFR below the 25th percentile faced a significantly higher risk of kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation.
Furthermore, the study identified a concerning lack of awareness within the healthcare system. Among those with a seemingly normal eGFR above 60 ml/min/1.73 m², yet below the 25th percentile, only 25% underwent additional testing for urinary albumin—an important marker for early kidney damage.
Juan Jesús Carrero, a professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet, emphasized the opportunity for early action. “For example, consider a 55-year-old woman with an eGFR of 80. Most clinicians would not react to such a seemingly normal value. However, our charts show that this corresponds to the 10th percentile for women of that age, indicating a three-fold higher risk of starting dialysis in the future.”
By providing population-based eGFR distributions alongside associated health outcomes, this research offers a vital opportunity for the early identification and primary prevention of chronic kidney disease.