Improvements to diagnosis of kidney disease needed

Across the UK, more than seven million people live with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This places an enormous burden on patients, the NHS, and the wider economy.

In fact, recent data shows treatment for CKD, and interconnected cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and stroke, cost the NHS more than £1 billion, and the wider economy as much as £7 billion each year.

At the UN General Assembly this month, a side event hosted by AstraZeneca, the Global Patient Alliance for Kidney Health, and other industry partners, emphasised the need to make CKD a global health priority to enable early detection, diagnosis and access to recommended treatment and care.

Aston spoke to nephrologist Dr Kieran McCafferty.