By Herman Hurwitz, MD, FCAP

Because the kidneys are your blood's filtration system, healthy kidney function is essential to life. Unfortunately, it's estimated that by 2010 the number of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States will double to more than 660,000 people.

Diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease are the primary conditions associated with CKD. The elderly, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders also are at higher risk for chronic kidney disease.

CKD is defined by a lowered glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the kidneys, a laboratory test that measures kidney function and/or evidence of kidney damage such as structural abnormalities seen on a biopsy or diagnostic imaging. Both indicators should be present for a period of three months or longer to meet the criteria for the disease.

A recent study has shown at what level the GFR needs to be for association with increased risk of developing kidney or cardiovascular disease. Having this threshold is helping physicians identify at-risk populations -- an estimated 19.2 million people in the United States.

The National Kidney Foundation and National Institutes of Health have launched the Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative to encourage education and standardized testing for early detection of chronic kidney disease.

Quest Diagnostics and Northern Nevada Medical Center now offer this preferred method for early diagnosis of CKD at the hospital's health fairs. Patients who order the blood chemistry panel will receive this information at no additional cost.

If you or someone you care about is in a group at risk for chronic kidney disease, discuss a blood chemistry test with your physician. It's simple and may help extend a life.

For more information regarding the Quest Diagnostics kidney disease test, please call 1-800-433-2750.

Chronic kidney disease stages, based on the GFR range

Herman Hurwitz, MD, FCAPt

Stage 1	GFR greater than 90 with kidney damage
Stage 2	GFR 60–90 with kidney damage
Stage 3	GFR 30–59
Stage 4	GFR 15–29
Stage 5	GFR less than 15 -- End-stage kidney disease

Herman Hurwitz, MD, FCAP, is Western Regional Medical Director for Quest Diagnostics. Northern Nevada Medical Center and Quest Diagnostics are sponsoring an affordable health fair in Northern Nevada's lobby on Thursday, July 6.

Northern Nevada Medical Center 2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434 775-331-7000