Early detection of chronic renal disease: coordinated work between primary and specialized care in an ambulatory renal network of Peru

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to report the implementation of a functional network for the early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with risk factors and the coordinated work between primary and specialized care in social security in Perú. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of the data of patients evaluated in a health network in the city of Lima (2013 to 2016), older than 18 years, with risk factors for CKD, evaluated with serum creatinine and creatine albumin ratio in random urine (ACR). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors associated with the finding of CKD. RESULTS: The implementation included training in renal health, installation of a digital database, organization of laboratories, and empowerment of primary care. We evaluated 42,746 patients of which 41.8% were men, with median age 69.2 years. The most frequent cause of detection was hypertension (HBP): 23,921 (55.9%). The prevalence of CKD was 12,132 (28.4%), the most frequent stage of CKD was 3a: 4735 (39.0%). Of the total, 6214 (14.5%) patients had microalbuminuria and 1335 (3.1%), macroalbuminuria. The risk of CKD increased 2.5 times (95% CI: 2.3-2.7) in patients with diabetes (DM) and HBP, in men (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2-1.3) and as age increased (> 77 years: OR 2.7, 95% CI: 2.5-2.8). The identification of the disease in the primary care setting is 60% less likely than in specialized care. CONCLUSIONS: One of every four patients are diagnosed with CKD, and the simultaneous diagnosis of DM and HBP and old age are the most important factors.