The first appointment with a nephrologist: Brazilian patients’ demographic and kidney function characteristics. A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The number of nephrologists has risen slowly, compared with the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Brazil. Data on patients referred to nephrology outpatient clinics remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the demographic and kidney function characteristics of patients at their first appointment with a nephrologist. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study conducted at three nephrology outpatient clinics (public and private services), in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: From December 2019 to February 2020, we collected patient data regarding demographics, kidney function parameters and comorbidities. We then analyzed data on 394 patients who met a nephrologist for their first appointment. RESULTS: The main comorbidities were hypertension (63.7%), diabetes (33.5%) and nephrolithiasis (22.3%). Regarding CKD stages, 24.1%, 9.1%, 13.7%, 15.2%, 15.2% and 2.3% of the patients were in stages 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5, respectively. Proteinuria was absent or mild, moderate and high in 17.3%, 15.2% and 11.7%, respectively; and 16.2% had not undergone previous investigation of serum creatinine or proteinuria (55.8%). For 17.5%, referral to a nephrologist occurred late. Patients in public services were older than those in private services (59 years versus 51 years, respectively; P = 0.001), more frequently hypertensive (69.7% versus 57.5%; P = 0.01) and reached a nephrologist later (22.4% versus 12.4%; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Referrals to a nephrologist were not being made using any guidelines for CKD risk and many cases could have been managed within primary care. Late referral to a nephrologist happened in one-fifth of the cases and more frequently in the public service.