The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has released new educational materials highlighting the importance of kidney health in older individuals, the fastest growing group of Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
"This growing population of patients with kidney disease often requires special attention," said ASN President Sharon M. Moe, MD, FASN. "ASN is honored to recognize World Kidney Day 2014 by helping its members focus on the needs of older adults with kidney disease."
The ASN video (http://asn.kdny.info/uwgU4) features Deidra C. Crews, MD, FASN, an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and member of the ASN Chronic Kidney Disease Advisory Group. She emphasizes the essential role that primary care providers play in protecting and maintaining kidney health in older adults and in working with nephrologists when appropriate. She also highlights how the contributions of nephrologists and primary care providers mesh to help older patients manage their care.
One of the reasons World Kidney Day focuses on older adults is that distinguishing clinically significant CKD from a normal decline in kidney function related to aging is an important aspect of caring for older adults. Dr. Crews also emphasizes that kidney disease places people at risk for other conditions—such as heart disease—even if they are not facing kidney failure.
In addition, the ASN Geriatric Nephrology Advisory Group has released a brief guide to highlight the World Kidney Day theme regarding what older adults diagnosed with kidney disease need to know about the basics of chronic kidney disease and aging, available at http://asn.kdny.info/uwhvj. This Q & A helps inform them about ways to maintain kidney health and explain the available treatment options.
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