Starting July 1, 2023, the adult population in Romania will have free of charge two laboratory tests necessary for the correct diagnosis of chronic kidney disease – the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the aluminum-creatinine ratio in urine. The new Framework Agreement on the provision of medical services and the following application rules provide for examinations on the recommendation of specialists in family medicine, nephrologists and other clinical specialties, such as diabetes, dietetics and metabolic diseases, cardiology, and internal medicine.

“Chronic kidney disease does not hurt. It’s a silent killer. For this reason, many cases remain undiagnosed, although the necessary investigations are easy to perform. At the level of the Ministry of Health, together with our colleagues from the National Health Insurance Company, we decided to change this reality for almost 2 million Romanians who live with this diagnosis, many of them not even suspecting it. Thus, since July 1, the adult population receives free of charge two tests recommended by the international guidelines for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease: estimated glomerular filtration rate and aluminum-creatinine ratio in urine, as part of the basic package of medical services. As of July, anyone undergoing a comprehensive medical examination at a family doctor’s office will need to receive these two tests to know if they have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, a condition that can make the difference between life and death. So simple and accessible to everyone!” announced the university prof. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, Minister of Health.

Only 1 in 10 people have chronic kidney disease diagnosed in the early stages, when the progression of the disease can be slowed

More than 10% of the Romanian population lives with chronic kidney disease, a disease that manifests itself only in the late stages. The main risk factors for CKD are cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes. Due to the lack of symptoms in the initial stages of the disease, patients receive a diagnosis only in the advanced stages, when it may already be too late to slow the progression of the disease and there are cardiovascular and renal complications.

“With two analyses, we have taken a particularly important step in prioritizing chronic kidney disease across the health care system, offering a chance for a longer and better life for patients living with the disease. We welcome the measures taken by the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Fund to promote early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in order to slow the progression of the disease and reduce renal and cardiovascular risk. We also ask people over 40 years of age, as well as patients with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, to contact their family doctor or attending physician to recommend two tests necessary for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease free of charge: estimated glomerular filtration rate and oxide ratio of aluminum to creatinine in urine. In this way, we ensure that all those living with this diagnosis will benefit early from the medical interventions they need for a better long-term life!” said Prof. Univ. Dr. Ina Cacho, President of the Romanian Society of Nephrology.

Based on a ticket from a family specialist or other clinical specialty, such as nephrology, diabetes, nutrition and metabolic diseases, cardiology, internal medicine, it will be possible to perform dosing for estimated glomerular filtration rate and aluminum in the urine. -creatinine ratio for free.

“The family doctor is the first point of contact for patients in case of health problems, as well as the one who guides them in the process of prevention and early detection of serious chronic diseases. We rely on the support of the authorities to provide us with as many tools as possible to help us in our mission to keep our patients healthy and minimize the risks of additional diseases. In the case of BCR, as of July 1, we have gained a valuable tool, namely the regulation of two vital early detection tests, allowing us to intervene early in the development of this devastating disease. impact on the lives of our patients. In this way, we can further protect our patients from diseases that have a serious negative impact on their health, such as chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Dina Merjani, president of the National Society of Family Medicine.

In this way, the scientific community and national authorities continue to raise awareness about chronic kidney disease and draw attention to the main risk factors for this disease, as well as the importance of regular assessment of kidney health in the family doctor’s office. , through a simple message as part of a national awareness campaign launched on March 9 in the context of World Kidney Day: “Cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes are common and can seriously affect the kidneys. Get your kidneys evaluated for free by your family doctor!

About chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious condition caused by abnormalities in the structure or function of the kidneys. The disease has a progressive development over years or months, and although it is irreversible, the development can be slowed or even stopped by early diagnosis and treatment. The disease is divided into 5 stages.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD): It is the 10th leading cause of death in the world in 2022 and is estimated to be the 5th leading cause of death by 2040. Chronic kidney disease affects nearly 850 million people worldwide, 80% more than people with diabetes and 10 times more than people with cancer. It is now the 10th leading cause of death in the world, and according to statistics that are increasing every year, it will be the 5th leading cause of death by 2040.

Early diagnosis and intervention in chronic kidney disease are important and save patients’ lives

In chronic kidney disease, diagnosis and intervention in the early stages of the disease are important steps to save patients’ lives. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out with the help of two simple laboratory tests: the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the ratio of aluminum to creatinine in the urine (RACu).