Prevention is better than cure. Think about the best way to promote preventative solutions and early detection of chronic kidney failure. Focus on creating a system and a method to enable detection and better disease management during the earlier stages of the disease
Design a home kit that would enable the following (also mentioned above): encourage diet modification, provide cheap, regular BP measurement, easy-to-use urinalysis devices that enable fast measurement of serum creatinine/albumin, estimates of the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using several known mathematical formulae (eg. Cockcroft and Gault) and an anemia sensor (optical) to monitor the red blood cell count.
Some simple measures that can prevent or reduce the progression of Chronic Kidney Failure:
Early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other diseases that predispose a person to kidney failure. In high-risk patients early detection is possible by estimating the Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and measuring urine protein.
In a diabetic, it is crucial to maintain good glycemic control with therapeutic measures, including weight reduction, dietary management, caloric restriction and use of oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin as necessary. The level of haemoglobin, which should be measured every few months, should be less than seven per cent. Poor glycemic control can cause various complications, including chronic kidney disease(CKD).
Control of blood pressure. The blood pressure in a diabetic should be less than 130/80 mm of Hg. This may often be difficult to achieve and will require both dietary measures, such as salt restriction, and multiple medication.
Urinalysis and measurement of protein in urine. It has been shown that protein in the urine can further damage the kidney. Patients with greater amount of urinary protein show rapid progression of CKD. Drugs such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are effective in reducing both proteinuria and microalbuminuria and have been shown to preserve kidney function. These drugs should be used in patients with diabetes who have proteinuria even when they have normal blood pressure.
Dietary modifications, including salt and caloric restrictions, as well as low fat intake.
Monitor of serum lipids. Elevation in serum lipids is shown to be significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with kidney disease. Use of drugs of the group called statins has been effective in lowering the serum cholesterol level and preventing cardiovascular morbidity as also in limiting kidney failure.
Management of anaemia with iron supplements or vitamins and use of erythropoietin (EPO). Correction of anaemia has been shown to lower chances of cardiovascular failure in patients with CKD.
