The role of statins in chronic kidney disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality not only amongst the general population, but also in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Persons with CKD are much more likely to die of CVD than to experience kidney failure. Clinical trials have demonstrated that statins are gaining widespread acceptance as a principal therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerosis and CVD. In CKD patients the role of statins in primary prevention of CVD remains to be clarified. The absolute benefit of treatment with a statin seems to be greater among nondialysis-dependent-CKD patients. Studies in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis did not confirm these results. Recently, however, the Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP) has suggested that statins with ezetimibe may be beneficial even in dialysis patients. Clinical studies with statins on proteinuria reduction and renal disease progression have yielded conflicting results. Some studies have shown a prominent reduction in proteinuria, while other studies have shown that statins had no effect or may cause proteinuria at high doses. This review examines the clinical evidence of the observed benefits of kidney function with the use of this drug category in CKD patients.     

Evidence-based statin prescription for cardiovascular protection in renal impairment

Dyslipidemia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the general population, and the cardioprotective role of statins is well established. However, although cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD), the role of statin therapy is still under investigation. In CKD the atherosclerotic burden is high and pathophysiology of dyslipidemia is complex; however, the majority of large-scale statin trials excluded patients with CKD. Statins could have different effects in the different stages of CKD. Two large trials involving haemodialysis patients showed unfavourable results, whereas in renal transplant subjects as well as in early CKD subjects, statins reduced cardiovascular risk. The studies involving early CKD patients are post-hoc analyses of large trials and they showed that statins are more effective in secondary than in primary prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of statins for prevention of cardiovascular events by calculating the number of patients needed to be treated in different interventional trials. We conclude that dyslipidemia is a modifiable cardiovascular risk and statins appear to be an effective treatment especially in the early stages of CKD. Patients on renal replacement therapy could obtain an advantage from this treatment; however, the patient’s clinical prognosis should be taken into account when evaluating treatment.     

Dyslipidemia, statins, and CKD patients' outcomes - review of the evidence in the post-sharp era

Hyperlipidemia in the general population is strongly associated with an increased incidence of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE). It is well established that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce CV and all-cause mortality in the general population, as well as in patients with CV disease (CVD). However, such a finding has not been definitively confirmed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Given that CV risk gradually increases with increasing stages of CKD (and is even higher in dialysis patients), it is of major relevance and importance to identify whether CKD patients might also benefit from alteration of lipid fractions, and how this might best be achieved. Bearing in mind that animal model and preclinical evidence suggests dyslipidemia might also be a factor promoting worsening renal function, it could legitimately be asked whether treating it may also therefore have a nephroprotective effect.     

The epidemics of cardiovascular disease in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease – Two facets of the same problem

There is increasing evidence that even mild renal dysfunction is a novel potent cardiovascular risk factor in the general elderly population. With more severe renal impairment, cardiovascular risk increases proportionately. This issue deserves attention, as chronic kidney disease (CKD) is predominantly a disease of the elderly, and the mean age of end-stage renal disease patients entering dialysis is growing constantly. In the dialysis population, when clinically significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) (particularly congestive heart failure) is present, survival is worse. Thus, every effort should be made to identify and treat cardiovascular risk factor in the early stages of CKD. However, elderly renal patients receive less proper cardiovascular therapy compared to non-renal subjects of the same age. This review deals briefly with the most significant data published in the last decade on CVD in elderly with CKD.     

慢性肾脏病患者血清游离脂肪酸与心脏结构和功能的关系

目的：研究慢性肾脏病（CKD）患者不同时期血清游离脂肪酸（FFA）和高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）水平的变化及与心脏结构和功能的关系。方法：对188例CKD患者（非透析治疗130例,血液透析58例）的临床及实验室资料作回顾性研究,应用酶比色法检测血清FFA、免疫比浊法检测hs-CRP,并应用心脏超声心动图测定患者的心脏结构和功能,分析FFA水平的变化与心脏结构和功能的关系。结果：CKD患者无论透析与否,FFA水平较健康对照组显著升高[（492.63±143.59）vs（302.65±142.18）μmol/L,P〈0.01],hs-CRP水平较健康对照组显著升高[（8.11±3.85）vs（4.63±1.34）mg/L,P〈0.01],在非透析CKD患者中,随着肾功能的逐渐减退,血FFA和hs-CRP水平也逐渐升高,各组间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,且HD组FFA和hs-CRP水平较非透析CKD各组更高（P〈0.05）;直线相关分析显示,血FFA水平与hs-CRP、左心室心肌重量指数（LVMI）、心脏功能综合指数（Tei指数）、TG呈正相关（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,与LVEF、GFR呈负相关（P〈0.05）;多因素逐步回归分析显示,FFA、hs-CRP和年龄是CKD患者心脏结构和功能异常的危险因素。结论：大约50%CKD患者FFA水平明显升高,且与hs-CRP及心脏结构和功能异常相关,提示高游离脂肪酸血症是CKD患者并发心血管疾病的危险因素之一。     

The interest of statins in nephrology

STATINS IN THE CASE OF CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE: Data of several large clinical trials in the general population demonstrated that hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are effective in cardiovascular disease prevention with a relatively safe profile. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk for developing premature cardiovascular disease, so the benefits of statin therapy might be expected to be substantial in this population. Adjusted dose of statins to calcinurine inhibitors and renal function seem to exhibit a favorable risk/benefit ratio in CKD patients. STUDY RESULTS: Statin use is CKD patients has been associated with a certain efficacy of cardiovascular disease prevention in several uncontrolled trials, and one randomized trial in renal transplant recipients. Several other large-scale randomized trials in CKD patients [4D (atorvastatin), AURORA (rosuvastatin) and SHARP (simvastatin/ezetimib) are currently underway. The results of these trials will permit evidence-based medicinal arguments justifying life-long clinical use of statins for cardiovascular prevention in CKD patients with progressive renal dysfunction, but data are inconclusive. OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS: Clinically relevant plethoric effects associated with statin therapy in CKD patients might be restricted to the decrease of inflammation and oxidative stress.     

Dyslipidemia in Dialysis Patients

Dyslipidemia is a well‐established traditional risk factor for cardiovascular events in the general population, particularly those with preexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this population, reductions in total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels are effective in reducing coronary artery events and mortality. Dyslipidemia is more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is believed to contribute to the high prevalence of CVD in these patients. To date, the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with CKD followed the guidelines recommended by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) for the treatment of lipid abnormalities. These guidelines recommend that initiation of lipid‐lowering therapy be based on LDL‐C level and the projected 10‐year risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, we now recognize that the relationship between serum cholesterol and CVD is more complex in patients with CKD, particularly those receiving maintenance hemodialysis. This has been demonstrated by the failure of three large randomized clinical trials to show a beneficial effect of lipid‐lowering therapy in reducing mortality in dialysis patients despite significant reduction in LDL‐C levels. These results have caused uncertainty among nephrologists about how best to manage dyslipidemia in their patients. In this review, the role of dyslipidemia as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in ESRD patients and the results of the 3 clinical trials and other studies, including their limitations will be discussed, and a schema for treating dyslipidemia in dialysis patients will be proposed.     

Cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with renal failure. Patients with chronic kidney disease have significant CVD, and carry a high cardiovascular burden by the time they commence renal replacement therapy (RRT). The severity of CVD that has been observed in dialysis patients lead to a growing body of research examining the pathogenesis and progression of CVD during the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (ie, predialysis phase). Multiple factors are involved in the development of CVD in CKD. More importantly, critical and key factors seem to develop early in the course of CKD, and result in preventable worsening of CVD in this patient population. Anemia is common in patients with CKD, and has been shown to have an independent role in the genesis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and subsequent CVD. Unfortunately, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with CKD. Early intervention, and better correction of anemia, seems to gain a great momentum in the prevention and management of CVD in CKD. Hypertension is another risk factor that has been targeted by the National Kidney Foundation Task Force on CVD in chronic kidney disease. This article reviews the different factors involved in the pathogenesis of CVD in CKD and the evidence supporting early and aggressive intervention.     

Dyslipidemia and the progression of renal disease in chronic renal failure patients

Dyslipidemia is a common complication of progressive kidney disease and contributes to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Recent evidence also suggests a role for dyslipidemia in the development and progression of renal disease. Experimental studies have demonstrated that lipids may induce glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, and that lipid-lowering treatments ameliorate renal injury. Various lipid abnormalities have been associated with the development and progression of renal disease in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Population-based studies and studies of diabetic patients have reported associations of various lipid abnormalities with the development of renal disease. In patients with CKD, lipid abnormalities have also been associated with renal disease progression. Post hoc analyses of some large clinical trials on patients with vascular disease, diabetes, or dyslipidemia, and a meta-analysis of small, prospective, controlled studies on patients with CKD (diabetics and nondiabetics) suggest that statins may slow the progression of kidney disease. It is unclear whether the beneficial renal effects of statins are due to the reduction of serum cholesterol levels and/or their pleiotropic effects. There is also evidence for synergistic renoprotective effects between statins and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. According to the results of post hoc analysis of several studies, treatment with fibrates does not seem to confer renoprotection, but evidence is scarce. In summary, there is growing evidence that lipid abnormalities may be a risk factor for renal disease, and that statins appear to confer a renoprotective effect.     

The risk of cardiovascular disease in adults who have had childhood nephrotic syndrome

While increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is well documented, transient hyperlipidemia or intermittent renal disease as a consequence of relapsing nephrotic syndrome (NS) has not been studied. To investigate this enigma, 62 patients, between 25 and 53 years of age, who had steroid-responsive/dependent NS during childhood, were identified from the records of the Division of Pediatric Nephrology at Yale School of Medicine. Forty patients were located and contacted to ascertain symptoms or occurrences of CVD via a telephone interview. At the time of follow-up, 23–46 years after cessation of NS, none of these patients had ESRD or CKD. Three patients had experienced a myocardial infarction (MI): a 32-year-old male with a family history of CVD; a 41-year-old male with a history of heavy smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and elevated cholesterol; a 31-year-old male after a cocaine overdose. The occurrence of events (8%) and mortality from CVD (none) in this cohort of patients is comparable to patients of a similar age in the general population and is lower than that of patients of the same age who are on dialysis. The data suggest that relapsing NS during childhood does not place patients at increased risk for CVD mortality or morbidity compared with the general population. Consequently, it would appear that factors related to persistent proteinuria or renal insufficiency, rather than transient proteinuria and renal disease, contribute to the CVD documented in patients with CKD or ESRD.     

慢性肾脏病住院患者白蛋白尿与心血管疾病相关性研究

目的：研究慢性肾脏病（CKD）住院患者白蛋白尿与心血管疾病（CVD）的相关性,探讨白蛋白尿对非糖尿病CKD患者CVD的预测价值。方法：回顾性分析1245例非糖尿病CKD患者的一般情况、生化指标、心电图、胸部X线、心超及CVD的危险因素。结果：（1）1245例患者中CKD1、2、3、4、5期分别为304例（24.4%）、281例（22.6%）、372例（29.9%）、157例（12.6%）、131例（10.5%）;CKD1～5各期有蛋白尿者分别为208例（68.8%）、194例（69%）、269例（72.3%）、117例（74.5%）、106例（80.9%）。（2）与CKD1期患者相比,CKD2～5期患者年龄、SBP、DBP、Scr、UA明显升高,eGFR、Hb、Alb明显降低（P〈0.05）;CKD3期患者TG、LDL升高,HDL降低（P〈0.05）;CKD4、5期患者TC、LDL、HDL降低;TG升高（P〈0.05）。（3）与CKD同期非白蛋白尿组相比,白蛋白尿组CKD1～5期患者Scr、UA明显升高,Alb明显降低（P〈0.05）;CKD2～5期患者SBP、DBP明显升高,eGFR、Hb明显降低（P〈0.05）;CKD4、5期患者TC、HDL降低,TG、LDL升高（P〈0.05）。（4）CKD患者CVD发病率从CKD1～CKD5期逐步升高（P〈0.05）,白蛋白尿患者CVD发病率以及胸部X片、心电图、心超异常阳性率升高更加明显（P〈0.05）。（5）Logistic回归分析显示CVD与年龄、SBP、UA、TG、白蛋白尿呈现正相关,与GFR、Hb呈现负相关（P〈0.05）。结论：非糖尿病CKD患者CVD发病率随CKD进展而增高,与白蛋白尿密切相关,白蛋白尿是CVD患者心血管疾病危险标志。     

慢性肾脏病患者心血管疾病危险因素探讨

目的探讨慢性肾脏病（CKD）患者心血管疾病的危险因素。方法收集我院542例住院CKD患者的病史、实验室检查和辅助检查结果,将患者根据有无心血管疾病分为2组,根据Logistic回归分析结果探讨心血管疾病的危险因素。结果高龄、高血压、高尿酸血症、贫血、蛋白尿是CKD患者心血管疾病的危险因素;CKD1～5期患者心血管疾病的危险因素各不相同。结论CKD进展和CKD患者心血管疾病的发生拥有部分相同的危险因素;在CKD早期以传统危险因素为主,随着肾功能的恶化,非传统危险因素起主导的作用。     

慢性肾脏病3～5期患者的钙磷代谢影响因素分析

目的分析我院门诊慢性肾脏病（CKD）3-5期患者的钙磷代谢诊疗现状及影响因素。方法分析我院门诊的317例CKD3～5期患者就诊资料,对钙磷代谢诊疗现状及影响因素进行统计学分析。结果CKD3～5期患者血钙、血磷、全段甲状旁腺素（iPTH）检测情况和结果差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。规律随诊与血钙、血磷检查与否相关,CKD分期、规律随诊、服用活性维生素D与患者iPTH检查与否相关。CKD分期、合并心血管疾病（CVD）与血钙异常相关。CKD分期与高血磷、高iPTH相关。结论CKD3期即可能出现钙磷代谢异常。CKD分期是影响血钙、血磷和iPTH的共同影响因素。合并CVD与血钙异常相关。规律随诊与钙磷、iPTH检查与否相关。     

Cardiovascular disease in early stages of chronic kidney disease in a Chinese population

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most serious complications of kidney disease, yet studies of CVD in early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Asian patients are very limited. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence and the spectrum of CVD in individuals with early-stage CKD and compared them with data of individuals without CKD. Compared with individuals with estimated GFR (eGFR) >90 ml/min per 1.73 m2, the prevalence of myocardial infarction, stroke, and total CVD of individuals with eGFR 60 to 89 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was increased by 91.4, 71.7, and 67.6%, respectively. For individuals with eGFR 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m2, the percentage was 105.2, 289.1, and 200.7%, respectively. For each eGFR category, stroke was more prevalent than myocardial infarction. Compared with individuals with eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73 m2, participants with eGFR 60 to 89 and 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m2 tended to have more cardiovascular risk factors, and there were strong unadjusted and adjusted associations between CVD with different stages of eGFR (eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73 m2 as reference). This is the first report on the prevalence and the spectrum of CVD in early stages of CKD in a community-based Chinese population. The spectrum of CVD in this Chinese population is different from reports of Western countries. Individuals with subtle decreased renal function seem much more likely to have multiple cardiovascular risk factors and have higher prevalence of CVD than those without CKD.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention in chronic kidney disease patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The increased prevalence of CVD in patients with renal dysfunction has been attributed to lack of effective prevention and low utilization of effective therapy. The optimal treatment of ischemic heart disease in ESRD patients before renal transplantation is controversial. Although no meta-analysis or pooled analysis of the data from small trials exists, it appears that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provides excellent angiographic success but is associated with increased restenosis and the need for revascularization and that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), while associated with higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality, provides better overall long-term results and freedom from angina. Despite suboptimal results for percutaneous interventions in comparison with bypass surgery, PCI remains a viable option, especially for patients who are not candidates for surgery and those with disabling angina despite anti-anginal therapy. Regardless of the revascularization strategy used, outcomes of CABG or PCI in these patients are significantly worse than outcomes in the general population. The long-term benefit after revascularization and adjunctive medical therapy should be an area of intense future research. Studies should also be conducted to investigate the benefit and safety of therapies such as the long-term use of beta-blockers, statins, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis inhibition in patients with CKD.     

Relationship between renal function at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention and prognosis in ischemic heart disease patients

BACKGROUND: As hypertension and diabetes mellitus increase, the number of patients developing complications of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with conventional risk factors is increasing. In addition to these risk factors for CVD, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has also been reported to play an important role. We investigated the association of representative ischemic heart disease and CKD. METHODS: Between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2005, a total of 790 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for angina pectoris or myocardial infarction in our division of cardiovascular disease were reviewed. Serum markers at the implementation of PCI were compared in patients classified according to renal function. For prognosis, in-hospital mortality, 1-year survival rate, overall mortality, and CVD death were investigated. Changes in renal function were also monitored during the follow-up period. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Group (MDRD) formula. RESULTS: The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) at PCI implementation was 66.2 +/- 21.0 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Stage 2 CKD was shown in 51.5% of all the patients. During the overall follow-up period, 126 patients died. With the progression of CKD stage, all-cause, CVD, and in-hospital mortality increased, and the 1-year survival rate decreased. It was proved that a medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, multiple vessel lesions, hypoalbuminemia, C-reactive protein (CRP), and estimated GFR were independent risk factors for all-cause death. In CVD death, in addition to the above risk factors, anemia and total cholesterol were also an independent risk factor. Renal function deteriorated significantly during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ischemic heart disease requiring PCI often develop renal dysfunction, which may considerably affect prognosis.     

Predicting initiation and progression of chronic kidney disease: Developing renal risk scores

Epidemiological studies have raised awareness of the problem of undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) and suggest that early identification and treatment will reduce the global burden of patients requiring dialysis. This has highlighted the twin problems of how to identify subjects for screening and target intervention to those with CKD most likely to progress to end-stage renal disease. Prospective studies have identified risk factors for CKD in the general population as well as risk factors for progression in patients with established CKD. Risk factors may thus be divided into initiating factors and perpetuating factors, with some overlap between the groups. In this paper, we review current data regarding CKD risk factors and illustrate how each may impact upon the mechanisms underlying CKD progression to accelerate loss of renal function. We propose that these risk factors should be used as a basis for developing a renal risk score, analogous to the Framingham risk score for ischemic heart disease, which will allow accurate determination of renal risk in the general population and among CKD patients.     

Incident acute coronary syndromes in chronic dialysis patients in the United States

BACKGROUND: Patients on dialysis have a disproportionately high rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the incidence and risk factors for incident acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have not been previously assessed in dialysis patients. METHODS: We analyzed the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study (DMMS) Wave II in a historical cohort study of ACS. Data from 3374 patients who started dialysis in 1996 with valid follow-up times were available for analysis, censored at the time of renal transplantation and followed until March 2000. Cox regression analysis was used to model factors associated with time to first hospitalization for ACS (ICD9 code 410.x or 411.x) adjusted for comorbidities, demographic factors, baseline laboratory values, blood pressures and cholesterol levels, type of vascular access, dialysis adequacy, and cardioprotective medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), beta blockers, and aspirin). Follow-up was 2.19 +/- 1.14 years. RESULTS: The incidence of ACS was 29/1000 person-years. Factors associated with ACS were older age, the extreme high and low ranges of serum cholesterol level, history of coronary heart disease (CHD), male gender, and diabetes. No cardioprotective medications including statins had a significant association with ACS in this study. However, medications known to reduce mortality after ACS were used in less than 50% of patients with known CHD at the start of the study, and statins were used in less than 10% of patients with CHD. CONCLUSIONS: Dialysis patients had similar risk factors for ACS compared to the general population. Cardioprotective medications were not associated with a significant benefit, possibly due to their striking underutilization in this at-risk population.     

Prognosis and risk factors of chronic kidney disease progression in patients with diabetic kidney disease and non-diabetic kidney disease: a prospective cohort CKD-ROUTE study

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is emerging rapidly as the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. In this 3-year prospective, multicenter cohort study, a total of 1138 pre-dialysis CKD patients were recruited. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the etiologies of DKD and non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for confounding factors, resulting in 197 patients being assigned to DKD and NDKD groups, respectively. The primary endpoints were 50% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The secondary endpoints were all-cause death and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. We found that DKD patients have a higher risk to develop 50% eGFR decline endpoint (HR:2.30, 95%CI [1.48–3.58], p < 0.001) and KRT endpoint (HR:1.64, 95%CI [1.13–2.37], p < 0.05) than NDKD patients. The 3-year cumulative incidence of 50% eGFR decline and KRT endpoint was significantly higher in DKD patients (26.90% vs.13.71% and 35.03% vs. 22.34%, respectively). The Cox regression analyses showed that the increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), DKD, decreased serum albumin (Alb), and higher CKD stages were risk factors for the 50% eGFR decline endpoint; the increased SBP, DKD, decreased serum Alb, serum creatinine (Scr), higher CKD stages, presence of proteinuria and CVD were risk factors for KRT endpoint; the increased age, decreased hemoglobin (Hb), decreased serum Alb were risk factors for all-cause death endpoint; the increased age, decreased serum Alb were risk factors for CVD events endpoint. Appropriate preventive or therapeutic interventions should be taken to control these predictive factors to delay the development of CKD complications, thereby improving the prognosis and reducing the disease burden of the high-risk populations.     

Prevention of chronic kidney disease: a global challenge

In view of the increasing number of patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) every year worldwide, attention has focused over the last two decades on meeting the health care need of patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). More recently, increasing awareness of the growing burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a large percentage of the population affected by early stages of CKD, has shifted attention and health care priority to the prevention and early detection of CKD. This article addresses issues related to general population as well as targeted screening, favoring the latter. It also examines some of the screening initiatives undertaken in both the developing and developed worlds. It also highlights the links between albuminuria, CKD, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) as an increasing number of studies identify albuminuria/proteinuria, as well as CKD as major markers of CVD. Finally, a brief review is included of primary and secondary intervention strategies for CKD and issues related to their implementation: manpower and funding.