Volume 6, Special Issue 2, Apr-May-Jun 2009
POPULAR
TOPICBACK TO BASICSTimetable of Tests for Chronic Kidney Disease
Nicola Thomas POPULAR
TOPICBACK TO BASICSFive Key Functions of the Kidneys
... POPULAR
TOPICBACK TO BASICSWhat goes Wrong in Chronic Kidney Disease
... DID YOU KNOW?Improving Organ Donation Registration in Primary Care
Ian Wilkinson Organ transplants can save or dramatically improve lives, yet figures for 11 February
2009 showed there were 7,903 people in the UK still on waiting lists for transplants,
with the majority waiting for a kidney transplant. Last year, more than 400 people died
while on the transplant waiting list. POPULAR
TOPICDISEASE FOCUSMaking Sense of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Karen Jenkins What exactly is chronic kidney disease (CKD), what causes it and how is it
diagnosed? In this article we get down to the basics of defining what CKD is, and
explore the stages of CKD. We review CKD progression and the assessment and
management recommendations for each stage of CKD. DISEASE FOCUSAnaemia of Chronic Kidney Disease
Karen Jenkins Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a multifaceted disease that has several associated
complications. Anaemia is one of the most common complications that can develop
early in the course of the disease process. It is associated with increased mortality,
increased hospitalisation rates, and reduced quality of life. Lower levels of kidney
function are associated with lower haemoglobin (Hb) levels and a higher prevalence and
severity of anaemia. EDITORIALEditorial
Donal O’Donoghue Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has moved rapidly up the healthcare agenda over the last few years. It has shifted from being considered as a rather nebulous condition of interest mainly to nephrologists to the front line of chronic disease detection and prevention in primary care as part of integrated management of vascular risk. In fact, the links between cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes are so close that CKD could also stand for ‘cardiovascular, kidney, diabetes.’ EDITORIALEditorial
Jan Procter-King ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway.’ That could be the message of this special issue of the British Journal of Primary Care Nursing focusing on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidneys can be really confusing for practice nurses, with lots of technical sounding tests and numbers. But the good news is that the step-by-step guides and clear articles in this issue will help you get to grips with this important condition and feel empowered to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of your patients. POPULAR
TOPICFOOD FOR THOUGHTEating Well for your Kidneys
Fiona Symes Diet and lifestyle strategies are essential in the treatment and possibly in the prevention
of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dietary modification plays a fundamental role in
helping to control increased levels of blood electrolytes and metabolic waste products
that are often seen as renal function declines. Evidence already exists to support the
benefit of dietary and lifestyle modification in the management of diabetes and hypertension,
which are two of the leading causes of CKD, and evidence is emerging that diet is crucial in
halting the progression of CKD. EVIDENCE IN PRACTICEEvidence in Practice
There are just not enough hours in the day to read all the research journals, even if you wanted to. This section of BJPCN –
Evidence in Practice – will keep you on top of relevant research without having to spend hours in the library.
Each review gives you a bite-size summary of new research, pulling out key points for primary care and recommending the action
that you might consider taking. HAVE YOU HEARD?Have you Heard?
... MONITORINGMonitoring Chronic Kidney Disease Practice
Paula D'Souza The NICE guideline for chronic kidney disease (CKD) was introduced in 2008, with the aim
of assisting practitioners both in primary and secondary care in the early identification
and management of patients with evidence of kidney disease. However, some debate still
exists surrounding the implementation of this guideline in everyday clinical practice. In
this article, we sort out PREVENTION IN PRACTICEVascular Risk Checks in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Dr Kathryn Griffith QUALITY MATTERSChronic Kidney Disease and QOF: Ticking the Right Boxes for the Right Reasons
Bev Cox The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) was implemented in 2004 with the aim of
ensuring that all patients had access to standardised, evidence-based care for their
long-term condition. Points are awarded for meeting certain standards in each of these
conditions and the number of points earned is translated into money that is paid to the
practice. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the long-term conditions with QOF points for
registering and monitoring. THERAPEUTICS REVIEWUsing Drugs Safely in Chronic Kidney Disease
Mike Kirby Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects renal drug elimination and other important processes
involved in drug disposition, including absorption, drug distribution and non-renal
clearance. As a result, the reduced renal excretion of a drug or its metabolites can cause
toxicity and the sensitivity to some drugs is increased even if elimination is unimpaired. POPULAR
TOPICPATIENT INFORMATIONKidney Damage and What it Means to You
... POPULAR
TOPICPATIENTS AS PARTNERSChronic Kidney Disease - Promoting Self-Management
Nicola Thomas This article will discuss the evidence for the self-management of long-term conditions, with a
focus on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Self-management of CKD can include activities to
control and manage blood pressure (BP); changes to diet such as reduced salt intake;
smoking cessation; and understanding of the action and side-effects of prescribed medicines. HANDS ONImproving the Care of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Bev Cox Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high mortality rate once it reaches the most severe
stage. However, complications can be reduced and even prevented if it is diagnosed
and treated earlier. Many people who develop CKD become symptomatic only when the
disease is well established. By that point, the opportunity for some of the interventions
aimed at minimising the impact of the disease has passed. Nurses working in general practice
are well placed to recognise people at risk for CKD, diagnose them early and ensure that
treatment is initiated and optimised to protect their renal and cardiovascular health.
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