Innovation strategies in CKD prevention and treatment – challenges, opportunities and sharing best practice

Abstract

Abstract. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, with cardiovascular disease being the major cause of mortality in these patients. CKD is associated with elevated risks of all-cause mortality and other adverse outcomes. This review is highlighting the consistency of the evidence about the hazards that are associated with CKD. The challenge that clinicians now face is to search for CKD, to manage it aggressively, to evaluate novel means of detecting CKD and to expand the therapeutic strategies for patients with CKD. The evidence base for informing effective kidney care is limited, and the translation of existing knowledge to routine clinical care is slow. Innovative approaches are described – patient-oriented care, complex care individualization, early screening for cognitive disorders, anxiety, renal education including education aids & e-Kidney application, teletechnology approach and CKD-self-testing in rural area, novel therapeutic targets for innovative CKD-oriented drugs, etc. Trials with the aim of re-purposing of generic therapeutics should be prioritized if sufficient scientific evidence is available. Furthermore, strategies used to extend patent life of drugs, but without investment to assess re-purposing, should be discouraged. Finally, if the above goals are achieved, new therapies will certainly become available to stop, slow, or reverse CKD. These therapies should be made accessible to populations around the globe.