Community Pharmacy-Based eGFR Screening for Early Detection of CKD in High Risk Patients

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition presenting with long-term slow progression of structural and/or functional damage to the kidneys. Early detection is key to preventing complications and improving outcomes. Point-of-care estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) screening technology allows for detection of abnormal kidney function in the community pharmacy setting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a community pharmacist-directed point-of-care screening program and to identify the prevalence of CKD in high-risk patients. DESIGN: Quantitative observational. SETTING: Four community pharmacies in British Columbia over a 6-month period. PATIENTS: In all, 642 participants with at least one CKD risk factor were identified and screened. Mean age was 60 years and females accounted for 55% of the study population. MEASUREMENTS: Serum creatinine was measured from peripheral blood using the HeathTab® screening system (Piccolo® Renal Function Panel with the Piccolo® blood chemistry analyzer). eGFR was calculated according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula. METHODS: Patients provided a sample of peripheral blood via a self-administered finger-prick and analytical data to assess kidney function was reported including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and electrolytes by the HealthTab(®) screening system. Once results were available, the pharmacist conducted a comprehensive medication review with the patient and recommended certain follow-up actions if appropriate. RESULTS: CKD risk factor included diabetes (30%), hypertension (45%), cardiovascular disease (12%), family history of kidney disease (13%), age over 55 years (68%), and an Aboriginal, Asian, South Asian, or African ethnic background (82%). A total of 11.5% of patients had eGFR values lower than 60 mL/min (abnormal renal function) and 34% had an eGFR between 60 and 89 mL/min (minimally reduced renal function). Overall pharmacists’ actions included blood pressure check (98%), education on CKD and risk factors (89%), medication review (72%), and physician follow-up (38%). Limitations included lack of follow-up beyond the 3-month study period prevented medical confirmation of CKD and limited the ability to quantify the impact of pharmacist interventions on the clinical outcomes of patients with low eGFR. CONCLUSION: These results illustrate the prevalence of abnormal renal function among undiagnosed, high-risk patients in the community. Pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare practitioners, are ideally positioned to utilize novel point-of care technologies to improve access to CKD screening, facilitate follow-up, and increase awareness around the importance of early detection.