Am I at Risk? · Testing for CKD · Diagnostic Guidelines

Am I at Risk for Chronic Kidney Disease?

More than 20 million Americans-one in nine adults-have chronic kidney disease and don't even know it, according to the National Kidney Foundation which is responsible for releasing Clinical Practice Guidelines to help diagnose this serious problem earlier and more easily than ever before. Another 20 million Americans, including anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease, are at increased risk.

Left untreated, chronic kidney disease may ultimately lead to kidney failure, requiring a transplant or dialysis for survival. With the number of kidney failure patients expected to more than double to 650,000 by 2010 with a projected cost to taxpayers of $28 billion, the guidelines could not come at a better time.

That's why the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is recommending that anyone who falls into one of the risk groups, which also include older Americans, African-Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, to ask their physician for three routine tests: a blood test for creatinine, a urine test for protein and measurement of blood pressure.