Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Overview

Useful Tools

GFR Calculators Explaining GFR: A Tear-Off Pad for Clinical Use - for use with patients. Now in Spanish Provider Education Videos - show how to talk to patients about CKD. (New)

CKD is a growing epidemic. However, economical and effective testing and treatment exist.

• Definition: What is CKD?
• Risk Factors: Who is at risk for CKD?
• Prevention: How can I help my patients slow chronic kidney disease and prevent kidney failure?
• Diagnosis: How do I test my patients for CKD?
• Treatment: What can I offer my patients with CKD?

Tools & Resources

NKDEP assists practitioners by providing an array of resources and tools.

• CKD and Drug Dosing: Information for Providers (New)
• Explaining GFR: A Tear-Off Pad for Clinical Use | Adobe PDF (919K) (New)
      Now available in Spanish | Adobe PDF (384K) (New)
• Continuing Medical Education (New)
• GFR Calculators - for adults (Original MDRD and IDMS-Traceable MDRD) and children
• Selecting the Correct Child Calculator
• Frequently Asked Questions About Estimated GFR Values
• Quick Reference on UACR and GFR | Adobe PDF (173K) (New)
• Consult Letter Template - for nephrologists to facilitate communication with PCPs
• CKD Quick Reference Card | Adobe PDF (137K)
• Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator

Clinical Practice Guidelines

NKDEP provides practical guidance for optimal patient care in the treatment of: cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, and nutrition.

Educating Patients

Patient education is an effective and important, yet often underutilized, component in CKD treatment. NKDEP offers a variety of tools and resources to help health professionals educate their patients. These include:

• Short Web Videos demonstrating sample patient-provider interactions around common CKD questions. Topics include CKD and risk, treatment, testing and diagnosis, and dialysis and transplantation.
• Patient Education Concepts for providing diabetes self-management education to patients. Includes talking points to help answer common questions patients may have.
• Explaining GFR: A Tear-off Pad for Clinical Use to help providers discuss GFR results with their patients.  The tear-off pad includes 50 easy-to-read patient education sheets with basic information about CKD and tips to keep the kidneys healthy.

View a complete listing of free NKDEP materials and resources for patients, families, health professionals, and laboratory professionals.

Statistics

NKDEP provides sources for statistics on the incidence and prevalence of kidney disease.

Related Links

• National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse - public inquiry response, publications, referrals to health information resources, and more

• Directory of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Organizations - voluntary, governmental, and private organizations providing services related to kidney disease

PDF files require Adobe Acrobat.