Longitudinal analysis of participants in the KEEP Mexico's chronic kidney disease screening program

The Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is a free screening and educational program aimed at detecting chronic kidney disease (CKD) among adult individuals who are at high-risk (those with diabetes, hypertension, or family history of these conditions or CKD). Confirmation of CKD diagnosis requires persistence of albuminuria or estimated GFR <60 mL/min for at least 3 months. We undertook this study to determine in a follow-up KEEP done at least 1 year after a baseline KEEP the following: 1) CKD incidence among individuals who initially tested negative for CKD, 2) transitions between CKD stages among individuals who initially tested positive for CKD.

A random sample of KEEP participants was invited to participate in a follow-up KEEP between 2008 and 2010. Paired analyses were conducted to compare CKD stages between baseline and follow-up KEEP.

A total of 434 individuals with a mean age of 49 years and 77% females participated in the study. Overall CKD prevalence in the baseline KEEP was 24%, and most patients were unaware of the diagnosis. In the follow-up KEEP, CKD incidence was 14%. The percentage of patients who tested positive for CKD in the baseline KEEP and who remained positive regardless of stage in the follow-up KEEP was 40% for those with stage 1 at baseline, 52% for those with stage 2, 65% for those with stage 3, and 100% for those with stages 4 or 5.

Screening for CKD among high-risk individuals is uncommon. KEEP is an effective program for detecting CKD.