Nationwide albuminuria self-test program increases awareness on renal diseases

A nationwide albuminuria self-test program of the Dutch Kidney Foundation resulted in an increasing number of newly diagnosed renal complaints and diseases by the general practitioner (GP) the year after the program. Apparently, the self-test program increased the awareness on renal diseases of both GPs and patients according to a recently published NIVEL study in BMC Family Practice.

With advertisements on the radio, television, newspapers and the Internet, Dutch adults over the age of 18 were invited by the Dutch Kidney Foundation to order a free albuminuria self-test to determine their risk for a renal disease. During and after the self-test program in 2007, an increased number of patients with a renal disease – based on data from the Netherlands Information Network of General Practice (LINH) – were diagnosed by the GP. Apparently, the self-test program increased the awareness on renal diseases of both GPs and patients compared with the year before the albuminuria self-test program. Most renal diseases were diagnosed in patients without risk factors for renal disease, such as patients with diabetes or hypertension.

Awareness
“According to the guidelines, patients with hypertension and diabetes should be screened on renal diseases by their GP every year. However, we found the most newly detected renal diseases in the group of patients without risk factors”, says Prof. François Schellevis. “The number of consultations for renal complaints and diseases in general practice increased. It seems that the public campaign of the Dutch Kidney Foundation increased the attention for renal diseases in the Netherlands.”

LINH
The Netherlands Information Network of General Practice (LINH) consists of a representative sample of about 80 general practices with approximately 330.000 listed patients. Data are retrieved from routinely kept electronic medical records and include information on consultations, morbidity, prescriptions and referrals.

Cooperating partners
- LHV
- IQ healthcare
- NHG