MONITORING OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a progressive decrease of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and/or persistent albuminuria. In concordance with what's been registered in other Latin American countries, in Argentina this ailment is gaining prominence and frequency as a public health problem. Since 1995, there is a law in Argentina which makes it mandatory for doctors to inform the National Central Coordinating Institute of Ablation and Implants (INCUCAI is its acronym in Spanish) about patients entering or leaving chronic dialysis programs. INCUCAI has become the main source of information about the local epidemiology of CKD. For those at risk of suffering CKD (people older than 60 years, hypertensive or diabetic patients, among others), screening is recommended, which consists of estimating GFR and albuminuria at least once a year. Patients with CKD, like those who suffer from other chronic diseases, need constant care, prioritizing secondary prevention in the pursuit of slowing down disease progression or minimizing the appearance of complications and/ or associated comorbidities. For this purpose, health services should offer sustained accessibility conditions, considering the singularities of the different population groups.