March Is National Kidney Month

National Kidney Month is the perfect opportunity to teach patients about the importance of screening to help prevent kidney disease. It’s especially important for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure who are at high risk for developing kidney disease. One way to help measure your patient's risk is with a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) test.

Why this matters

The uACR test detects microalbuminuria, an early sign of kidney damage in patients with diabetes. In contrast, urine protein-creatinine ratio (uPCR) measures total protein, which may show more advanced kidney disease but does not fulfill the NCQA’s criteria for early detection. 

Additional ways to help your patients: 

• Teach patients about the importance of diet, exercise, nutrition, weight control, and sleep. 
• Create a treatment plan for at-risk patients that fits their lifestyle and dietary needs. 
• Order a kidney health evaluation annually for all patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.  

 This evaluation should include: 

• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). 
• Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR). 

Here are some resources you can share with your patients: 

• National Kidney Month infographic (National Kidney Foundation). 
• Kidney Professionals (National Kidney Foundation). 
• Kidney Disease (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases).
• Medication list (EmblemHealth).