Global access and quality of conservative kidney management

Conservative kidney management (CKM) describes supportive care for people living with kidney failure who choose not to receive or are unable to access kidney replacement therapy (KRT). This study captured the global availability of CKM services and funding.

Data came from the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health survey conducted between June and September 2022. Availability of CKM, infrastructure, guidelines, medications and training were evaluated.

CKM was available in some form in 61% of the 165 responding countries. CKM chosen through shared decision-making was available in 53%. Choice-restricted CKM-for those unable to access KRT-was available in 39%. Infrastructure to provide CKM chosen through shared decision-making was associated with national income level, reported as being "generally available" in most healthcare settings for 71% of high-income countries, 50% of upper-middle-income countries, 33% of lower-middle-income countries and 42% of low-income countries. For choice-restricted CKM, these figures were 29%, 50%, 67% and 58%, respectively. Essential medications for pain and palliative care were available in just over half of the countries, highly dependent upon income setting. Training for caregivers in symptom management in CKM was available in approximately a third of countries.

Most countries report some capacity for CKM. However, there is considerable variability in terms of how CKM is defined, as well as what and how much care is provided. Poor access to CKM perpetuates unmet palliative care needs, and must be addressed, particularly in low-resource settings where death from untreated kidney failure is common.