Early Referral for Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is cyclically degenerative. If the issue is not addressed early the nephrons will degenerate over time until the entire kidney fails. This article discusses the issue of identifying kidney disease earlier in young patients so that steps may be taken to save the kidney before failure. Researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine analyzed 18 separate studies and found that being older, belonging to a minority group, being uninsured and suffering from multiple health issues have a high correlation with late referrals.

The study shows that as much as 80% of patients that are referred to dialysis treatment are referred late to nephrologists. The researchers suggest that patients should be referred to a nephrologist by stage IV kidney, which involves a severe decrease in kidney function.

This brings up an important issue for policy makers and doctors. Referrals need to happen sooner and different guidelines for a referral would be beneficial to patients. Early treatment will not only help slow the disease, but it will also give the patient and his or her family time to deal with a plan for treatment if dialysis is necessary eventually. Dialysis is physically and mentally demanding for patients and families. End stage kidney disease is also the most expensive disease to treat on a per capita basis. Early referral would also give families time to figure out a way to afford the treatment.