Your kidneys are effective filters that remove wastes and excess fluids from the blood to produce urine^1,2.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which there is a gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys become damaged and are unable to filter wastes from the blood effectively. Over time, this leads to the buildup of harmful substances in the body, which, in turn, causes serious complications^1,2.

Some warning signs of CKD include the following:⁵

There are low-cost and accurate tests for the detection of CKD⁷.

Annual screening for CKD is recommended for individuals with diabetes/prediabetes and those with hypertension⁶.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic kidney disease basics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html. Accessed on: 14 December 2022.

2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). What is chronic kidney disease? Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/what-is-chronic-kidney-disease. Accessed on: 14 December 2022.

3. GBD Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration. Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2020;395(10225):709–733.

4. Epidemiology & Disease Control Division and Policy, Research & Surveillance Group, Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board, Singapore. National population health survey 2020. Available at: www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statistics/reports/national-survey-2019-20. Accessed on: 2 January 2023.

5. National Kidney Foundation. 10 signs you may have kidney disease. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/news/ekidney/august14/10_Signs_You_May_Have_Kidney_Disease. Accessed on: 14 December 2022.

6. Agency for Care Effectiveness. Chronic kidney disease – early detection. Available at: https://www.ace-hta.gov.sg/healthcare-professionals/ace-clinical-guidances-(acgs)/details/chronic-kidney-disease-early-detection. Accessed on: 2 January 2023.

7. Shlipak MG, Tummalapalli SL, Boulware LE, et al. The case for early identification and intervention of chronic kidney disease: Conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference. Kidney Int. 2021;99(1):34–47.

8. National Kidney Foundation. Know your kidney numbers: Two simple tests. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/know-your-kidney-numbers-two-simple-tests. Accessed on: 14 December 2022.

About Frontier Healthcare Group

Frontier Healthcare (as part of the Qualitas Primary Care Division) runs 18 GP clinics, 2 Family Medicine Clinics (Clementi and MacPherson) and has 37 affiliated GP clinics under its Frontier Primary Care Network Program. Frontier Healthcare supports national schemes such as the Community Health Assist Scheme (Pioneer, Merdeka, CHAS Green, CHAS Orange, CHAS Blue), Baby Bonus, Healthier SG, MBS@Gov etc, as well as partnerships with major Insurers, Corporates and TPA partners to bring quality and affordable healthcare closer to the community.