Prevalence and Staging of CKD for a Managed Care Audience

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent, with decreased eGFR and elevated uACR affecting millions of patients in the healthcare system. These abnormalities not only increase individual morbidity and mortality but also contribute to substantial healthcare costs through hospitalizations, dialysis, and cardiovascular complications. CKD is classified into stages using eGFR and uACR levels, which guide risk stratification and management strategies. Raising awareness of these stages is essential for early intervention and resource planning. Screening for both eGFR and albuminuria is imperative because many patients remain asymptomatic until advanced disease, and relying on a single marker may miss high-risk individuals. Despite the high costs associated with end-stage renal disease, CKD screening is underutilized due to limited awareness, inconsistent guidelines implementation, and logistical barriers.