Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence and burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing. Despite available early detection methods, many individuals with CKD remain undiagnosed. We evaluate the effectiveness of albuminuria screening for early detection and management of CKD in the primary care setting. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter epidemiological study in primary care centers in the province of Burgos, Spain, from February to May 2024. The urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (uACR) was assessed in 9890 adults attending primary care visits. The primary finding was the prevalence of CKD defined by KDIGO guidelines thresholds for albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), stratified by age, gender and motive for consultation. RESULTS: In total, 22.29% of participants met CKD criteria, with 14.04% showing uACR levels above 30 mg/g (albuminuria categories A2-A3) and 12.81% displaying reduced eGFR levels (categories G3-G5). Albuminuria screening identified CKD in 1338 (14.1%) participants, including 903 (10.88%) individuals with eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m² and 434 (35.57%) participants with CKD upgraded to higher risk due to albuminuria. Among individuals with CKD, 2123 (22.29%) participants were eligible for therapies to slow disease progression, per current KDIGO guidelines. CONCLUSION: The ONDAAS study reveals a high prevalence of CKD among individuals attending primary care facilities, emphasizing the importance of albuminuria screening for early detection and risk stratification of CKD. Our findings demonstrate how early screening can significantly shape therapeutic choices and ultimately enhance patient care outcomes.