Update of the S3 guideline Chronic kidney disease (CKD) not requiring dialysis in the GP practice

In Germany, 27 per cent of patients in GP practices and over 50 per cent of residents in nursing homes suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) that does not require dialysis. As the latest therapeutic approaches and developments in CKD care have not yet been taken into account in the S3 guideline published in 2019, a quarter of all those affected are not treated with customised medication in GP practices. In some CKD patients, the disease worsens to the point of requiring dialysis. The new S3 guideline aims to counteract this.

Dialysis not only severely restricts the quality of life of those affected; avoidable dialysis also causes high costs for the healthcare system. Even if dialysis is no longer avoidable, timely preparation for renal replacement therapy can improve survival. It is estimated that 20 to 40 per cent of emergency dialyses can be avoided with new preventive therapies.

The aim of the new S3 guideline is to provide risk-adapted recommendations on early detection, diagnosis, therapy, referrals and monitoring in order to further slow the progression of CKD and prevent complications.

The guideline is developed in accordance with the regulations of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF). This describes the entire process of guideline development: from planning and organisation to the actual development and formulation through to implementation, evaluation and publication by the AWMF. The project will be funded for one and a half years with a total of approx. 203,000 euros.

If successful, the new guideline can significantly reduce the number of avoidable dialyses in CKD patients and contribute to improving care and reducing the mortality rates of patients with chronic kidney disease in general practice.