CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when kidneys are damaged and do not work as well over time, increasing risk of stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular disease. The CDC estimates more than 35 million US adults are living with CKD but as many as 9 in 10 do not know it. Using its commercial claims data warehouse, Missouri Health Value Collaborative (MHVC) explored CKD diagnosis, screening, and medication use in Missouri in 2023. MHVC’s analysis suggests CKD is underdiagnosed in Missouri’s commercial population, signaling a need for more effective screening to enable earlier identification and intervention.

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National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 9% of US adults under 65 have CKD, but MHVC’s claims-based analysis showed only 1% of Missourians had a CKD diagnosis. Of those diagnosed with CKD, 55% were at stage 3, where patients require increased treatment and are at high risk of irreversible disease progression. A diagnosis of CKD at stage 3 or higher can mean that possible chances for prevention have been missed. Eleven percent of CKD patients in Missouri had an unspecified stage in their medical claims, making management of these patients more difficult.

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Early identification is key for delaying progression of CKD to later stages. Kidney screening involves a urine test and a standard blood test to evaluate kidney function and is recommended for individuals with diabetes and hypertension who are at higher risk of developing kidney disease. MHVC’s analysis found that most patients across Missouri with hypertension or diabetes, the greatest known risk factors for kidney disease, did not receive both recommended tests for CKD screening.

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Check out the infographic for more information!

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MHVC thanks Champion for Health Care Value, Bayer, for contributions to this project and ongoing support of MHVC's community work.