The ideal timing of referral to a nephrologist is
not well defined and depends on the comfort
level of the primary care provider.
Treatments to slow the progression of CKD
and decrease cardiovascular risk should begin
early in CKD (ie, in stage 3) and can be managed
by the primary care provider with guidance
from a nephrologist. Patients referred
to a nephrologist while in stage 3 have been
shown to go longer without CKD progression
than those referred in later stages.4
Early referral
to a nephrologist has also been associated
with a decreased mortality rate.5
The studies
that found these trends, however, were limited
by the fact that patients with stage 3 CKD are
less likely to progress to end-stage renal disease
or to die of cardiovascular disease than
patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD.
Once stage 4 CKD develops, the nephrologist
should take a more active role in the care
plan. In this stage, cardiovascular risk rises,
and the risk of developing end-stage renal disease
rises dramatically.6
With comprehensive
care in a CKD clinic, even patients with advanced
CKD are more likely to have a stabilization
of renal function.7
Kinchen et al8
found
that patients referred to a nephrologist within
4 months of starting dialysis had a lower survival
rate than those referred earlier. Therefore,
if a nephrologist was not involved in the
patient’s care prior to stage 4, then a referral
must be made.
Recommendation. Patients with stage 3
CKD can be referred for an initial evaluation
and development of a treatment plan, but most
of the responsibility for their care can remain
with the primary care provider. Once stage 4
CKD develops, the nephrologist should assume
an increasing role. However, if glomerular
disease is suspected, we recommend referral
to a nephrologist regardless of the estimated
GFR.