Screening for chronic kidney disease in Australia: a pilot study in the community and workplace

The pilot program Kidney Evaluation for You (KEY) was conducted in Australia to screen for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Targeting people at high risk (those with diabetes, hypertension, a first-degree relative with kidney failure, or age >50 years), KEY aimed to establish community-based screening protocols, assess efficacy in promoting changes in risk-factor management, and explore participant CKD awareness. KEY offered free cardiovascular and kidney checks using point-of-care testing for on-site pathology measurements (estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, hemoglobin, albuminuria), lifestyle assessment, and exit interviews. Participants were telephoned at 3 months to ascertain whether KEY advice had been followed. Community and health professional support was strong; 99% of participants rated involvement as beneficial. Of 402 high-risk individuals recruited, findings were suggestive of CKD in 20.4%. Of these, 69% had hypertension, 30% diabetes, and 40% elevated total cholesterol. All participants with CKD stage 3b or higher were aged >61 years. Overall, 58% of participants were referred to their primary care providers for further action; of these, 82% saw their doctors in the next 3 months and 94% discussed KEY results. Follow-up telephone contact was successful for 82% of participants. A change in management occurred for 67%. Thus, the KEY approach to early detection of CKD and selected referral of participants was largely successful.