Close
KEEPing chronic kidney disease from spreadingHealthcare News | August 4, 2009
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes – often leading to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). In the US alone, some 26 million adults have CKD, with millions more at risk without even knowing it. Population growth, aging demographics, and unhealthy diets are likely to increase these numbers in the future. Dialysis and kidney transplant, two common late-stage treatments, can be avoided if kidney disease is identified and treated in its early stages.
Raising awareness about early detection among high-risk groups
The NKF (National Kidney Foundation) is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.
One of the activities of the NKF is the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP). This program offers free screening for high-risk individuals: adults with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease. Since its launch in 2000, some 135,000 individuals have been screened and nearly one third of them showed evidence of having kidney disease.
Siemens and NKF enter partnership for comprehensive health risk appraisal
To help the KEEP with its community outreach program for early detection of kidney disease, Siemens is donating diagnostic instruments and associated microalbumin urinalysis testing supplies. The CLINITEK test is used to screen for elevated levels of protein in urine, one of the earliest markers of kidney disease. The Siemens microalbumin test – easily completed in community settings where the KEEP program performs screenings – provides an albumin-to-creatinine ratio used to help diagnose early stages of kidney disease.
"Diagnostic testing is vital to the early detection and effective treatment of kidney disease," commented Donal Quinn, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "We feel privileged to support the National Kidney Foundation in the delivery of quality diagnostic testing and preventative screening for thousands of people each year at risk for kidney disease."
Joseph Vassalotti, MD, Chief Medical Officer, NKF and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine: "The partnership with Siemens will enable us to continue to test individuals at risk for CKD through KEEP, boosting awareness, treatment and control of CKD risk factors in communities around the country through early detection."
