Risk factors + prevention
This BMI threshold classifies obesity as a major CKD risk factor.
What is BMI ≥30?
Because CKD is often asymptomatic until it's advanced, it's described using this term.
What is a 'silent disease'?
This blood test result is used to calculate eGFR.
What is serum creatinine?
CKD is defined as a kidney abnormality present for at least this duration.
What is 3 months?
This class of medication reduces cardiovascular risk in CKD patients by lowering cholesterol.
What are statins?
Besides diabetes, this common cardiovascular condition is a major risk factor for CKD.
What is hypertension?
This is the name of the recommended targeted screening tool for people at increased risk of CKD.
What is the Kidney Health Check?
This imaging investigation assesses for structural kidney disease or obstruction.
What is a renal ultrasound?
This eGFR value (mL/min/1.73m²) is the threshold below which kidney function is considered reduced.
What is <60 mL/min/1.73m²?
This dangerous three-drug combination is known as the 'triple whammy'.
What is ACE inhibitor/ARB + NSAID + diuretic?
This age is highlighted as a key threshold where CKD risk particularly increases.
What is 60 years (and older)?
This is how often people with diabetes or hypertension should be screened for CKD.
What is every 12 months?
This electrolyte is closely monitored in CKD, especially in patients on ACE inhibitors/ARBs.
What is potassium (K⁺)?
This is the eGFR range that defines CKD stage G3a.
What is 45–59 mL/min/1.73m²?
This class of diabetes medication also reduces CKD progression and cardiovascular events, and is used in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD.
What are SGLT2 inhibitors?
Name three lifestyle-based risk management strategies for CKD.
What are: stop smoking, healthy diet/reduce salt intake, and exercise/weight management, control BP and blood glucose?
Explain why Australia uses targeted screening rather than population-wide screening for CKD.
What is: it enables earlier detection and treatment in high-risk groups while avoiding unnecessary testing of the whole population?
Name the three core components of the Kidney Health Check.
What are: blood (creatinine/eGFR), urine (uACR + haematuria), and blood pressure?
Name two limitations of eGFR as a measure of kidney function.
What are: it's an estimate not a direct measurement; it's less reliable with unusual muscle mass, diet, certain medications, or rapidly changing kidney function; and it can be misleading during AKI (any two)
Name two situations that warrant nephrology referral in CKD.
What are: advanced CKD, rapid decline in kidney function, significant albuminuria, or unclear cause of haematuria (any two)?