Provision of care for chronic kidney disease by non-nephrologists in a developing nation: a national survey

OBJECTIVES The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in developing countries has increased dramatically. This study aimed to explore the practice patterns of non-dialysis-dependent CKD care in an affluent developing country. SETTINGS Primary and specialised healthcare facilities of public and private sectors in the United Arab Emirates. PARTICIPANTS 159 non-nephrologist physicians practising in the United Arab Emirates. INTERVENTIONS A 28-item online self-administered questionnaire based on CKD clinical practice guidelines. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The physicians' approach to identifying and managing patients with CKD. RESULTS The survey was completed by 159 non-nephrologists, of whom 135 reported having treated patients with CKD. Almost all the respondents screen patients with hypertension and diabetes for CKD, but one-third of them do not screen patients with cardiovascular disease and elderly patients for CKD. The use of accurate CKD screening tests (estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin/creatinine ratio) was suboptimal (77% and 59% of physicians used the procedures, respectively). One-third of the physicians do not offer treatment with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system to patients with CKD, and only 66% offer antilipid treatment. In general, the primary healthcare physicians are more familiar than secondary healthcare physicians with the diagnosis and management of patients with CKD. CONCLUSIONS We identified substantial physician-declared deficiencies in the practice of identifying and managing early CKD. Integration of quality CKD care within the healthcare system is required to face the increasing burden of CKD in the United Arab Emirates and possibly in other developing nations.