Kidneys perform many functions, including filtering waste products from the blood and balancing body fluids. Kidney problems often go unnoticed in early stages, as symptoms may not appear until significant damage has occurred. Early detection through screening offers an opportunity to identify potential issues before they advance.
What is Nephropathy?
Nephropathy refers to damage or disease affecting the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter blood effectively. This condition often progresses without obvious symptoms in its initial phases, making early detection challenging. Common underlying conditions that can lead to nephropathy include elevated blood pressure, which strains the kidney’s filtering units, and diabetes, where high blood sugar levels can harm blood vessels in the kidneys.
Who Needs Nephropathy Screening?
Certain individuals face a higher likelihood of developing kidney damage and benefit from regular screening. People living with diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, are routinely advised to undergo screening. Similarly, individuals with high blood pressure, or hypertension, should be screened.
A family history of kidney disease also increases a person’s risk. Specific autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can directly attack kidney tissues. Older age increases the risk of kidney function decline, and certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, show a higher incidence of kidney disease.
Common Screening Tests
Screening for kidney damage involves tests that assess kidney function and detect early signs of damage. The Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) measures the amount of albumin, a protein, in the urine relative to creatinine. A higher than normal albumin level in urine can indicate damage to the kidney’s filters, allowing protein to leak out. This test is a sensitive early marker.
The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is calculated from a blood test measuring creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product from muscle metabolism that healthy kidneys filter out of the blood. The eGFR provides an estimate of how well the kidneys are filtering waste, indicating their overall function. Blood pressure measurement is also a standard part of kidney screening, as high blood pressure can both cause and worsen kidney damage.
Understanding Your Screening Results
Interpreting screening results involves understanding what the numbers for UACR and eGFR signify. A UACR result above 30 mg/g indicates elevated albumin in the urine, suggesting potential kidney damage. Results between 30 and 300 mg/g indicate moderately increased albuminuria, while values over 300 mg/g point to severely increased albuminuria.
For eGFR, a result above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² is considered normal, indicating healthy kidney function. An eGFR between 60 and 89 mL/min/1.73 m² suggests mildly reduced kidney function. Values below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² for three months or more indicate chronic kidney disease, with lower numbers reflecting greater impairment. An abnormal screening result warrants a discussion with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.
Preventing Progression After Screening
Identifying early signs of kidney involvement through screening allows for proactive measures to protect kidney health. Lifestyle modifications can help slow or prevent the progression of kidney damage. These include maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and working towards a healthy body weight. Stopping smoking is also beneficial, as smoking can accelerate kidney decline.
Managing underlying conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, is important. This involves controlling blood sugar levels within target ranges for individuals with diabetes and managing blood pressure. Regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider are important to monitor kidney function and adjust management strategies as needed.