March Is National Kidney Month

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 05 Mar 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Tens of millions of Americans who have diabetes or high blood pressure are at risk for kidney disease and many do not know it. People with diabetes and high blood pressure, the leading risk factors for the disease, should check their kidney function with an annual urine screening (micro-albumin test). Throughout National Kidney Month, TMF Health Quality Institute, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Texas, urges high-risk patients to ask their doctors for this life-saving screening.

"Kidneys filter waste and extra water from the blood. When the kidneys are damaged, the filtering stops and waste builds up, causing harm to the body. People with diabetes or high blood pressure should ask their doctor about evaluating their kidney function with a micro-albumin test," said Earl Smith, MD, medical director for TMF. "This test can detect kidney issues long before patients show symptoms."

The United States Renal Data System reports that more than 31 million Americans have kidney disease. The number of people at risk has grown significantly, matching the rise in Americans with diabetes, currently estimated at more than 23 million, and hypertension, estimated at 65 million. Forty-four percent of new cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are attributed to diabetes and 27% to hypertension.

Today, Texas has more than 130,000 Medicare patients with CKD, ranking the Lone Star State second only to California. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in 2007, only 38% of Texas Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes received an annual urine micro-albumin test. Medicare covers this test for people with diabetes once each year with no co-pay or deductible.

The National Kidney Foundation and the American Diabetes Association have issued joint recommendations that all patients with diabetes receive the annual urine screening to test for kidney function.

People living with diabetes or high blood pressure are encouraged to see their doctor to check kidney function. For more information on diabetes self-management and necessary preventive screenings for CKD, visit http://KidneyHealth.tmf.org.

About the Campaign for Kidney Health

The Campaign for Kidney Health is a collaborative effort between TMF Health Quality Institute, Texas Department of State Health Services' End Stage Renal Disease Prevention Program, End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas, Texas Renal Coalition and the National Kidney Foundation. The campaign is focused on educating at-risk patients and promoting timely screenings and preventive measures.

About TMF Health Quality Institute

TMF Health Quality Institute is an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit consulting company focused on promoting quality health and health care through contracts with federal, state and local governments, as well as private organizations. TMF partners with health care providers in a variety of settings to ensure that every person receives the appropriate care, every time.

TMF Health Quality Institute

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