Community Point of Care Testing in Diagnosing and Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global health challenge with increasing prevalence and associated morbidity. Point-of-care testing (POCT) provides an opportunity to improve CKD management and outcomes through early detection and targeted interventions, particularly in underserved communities. This review evaluates the roles of POCT in CKD, focusing on utility (through screening programs, monitoring of kidney function, and assessing participants on renally excreted medications), accuracy, and acceptability. Screening programs employing POCT have demonstrated promising outcomes, with improved rates of CKD diagnosis in groups with disparate health outcomes, offering a vital avenue for early intervention in high-risk populations. These have been conducted in rural and urban community or pharmacy settings, highlighting convenience and accessibility as important facilitators for participants. In addition, POCT holds significant promise in the monitoring of CKD, particularly in groups requiring frequent testing, such as kidney transplant recipients and patients on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors. The consideration of the variable analytical performance of different devices remains crucial in assessing the utility of a POCT intervention for CKD. While the convenience and improved accessibility of home self-testing versus healthcare professional management is important, it must be balanced with acceptable levels of accuracy and precision to maintain patient and clinical confidence. Despite challenges including variability in accuracy and the user-friendliness of devices, patient feedback has generally remained positive, with studies reporting increased patient satisfaction and engagement. However, challenges regarding wider uptake are limited by healthcare professional confidence (in test reliability), the potential for increased workload, and early prohibitive costs. In conclusion, POCT represents a growing and valuable tool in enhancing CKD care, particularly in resource-limited settings, but careful consideration of device selection and implementation strategies is essential to achieve desired outcomes.