Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects one in seven adults ()1 and it is estimated that two out of three people with CKD are unaware that they have chronic kidney disease. (2) This is a progressive condition that impairs the kidneys’ ability to filter blood. … Effectively. (3)
Because chronic kidney disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages (4), information and prevention (and, if necessary, a comprehensive approach) are essential to protect our health.
CKD is more prevalent in people who have certain risk factors that may predispose them to developing the disease. Early detection through tests such as urine tests (to measure the presence of albumin) and blood tests (to assess kidney function) is essential to prevent its progression and improve long-term outcomes (4). (5)
It is desirable to obtain information about the interrelationships between the disease and the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic systems, as well as the interrelationships between the organs involved in that system and their comorbidities, as in the case of the kidney, heart, liver, and pancreas6.
“The heart, kidneys and organs involved in metabolism are closely connected and can influence each other. Diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and hypertension significantly increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to patients and early detection are essential to avoid complications,” declares Veronica López, Head of the Department of Nephrology at the Malaga Regional University Hospital.
Data to consider
– The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Spain is 15.1% (1) and it is estimated that two out of three people with CKD do not know that they are suffering from chronic kidney disease. (2)
-Diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease are closely related. (6) Diabetes is the main cause of chronic kidney disease in our country. (7)
– Diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are some of the risk factors for CKD. (5)
– According to the “Interconnectedness” barometer, more than 50% of Spaniards do not know that CKD can develop without symptoms, and 52% do not know that type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing kidney disease or cardiovascular disease (the same study shows that nearly 90% of those surveyed do not think there is enough information about the interrelationships between cardiovascular, kidney and metabolism) (8)
-42% to 53% of patients with heart failure also have CKD. (9)
– Symptoms most often seen in advanced stages of CKD: pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, muscle spasms, itching, nausea and vomiting, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression. (10)
“Doing something for your kidneys”: Prevention on the ground
In this context, “Act for your kidneys”, which are essential to our health, is a screening campaign promoted by the National Association for the Control of Kidney Disease (ALCER Federation) in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. In Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, 439 people have already taken part in Act for your Kidney and have undergone two simple screening tests to detect CKD: one blood test and one urine test. (11)
Arantxa García, Medical Director of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cardiovascular, Nephrology and Metabolic Division, emphasizes: “Early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease more accessible is the key to improving patient prognosis and quality of life. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we recognize the close interrelationship between the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic systems and are committed to promoting an integrated vision of health care.” Dr. Garcia emphasizes, “Only through active collaboration between patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations can we accelerate early detection, slow disease progression, and move toward more preventive and personalized care.”
The Do It for Your Kidneys test identified scientific evidence that diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and age over 60 were the “top three” factors with a greater association with the likelihood of CKD. (11) One in four participants (27%) with symptoms of potential CKD did not report previous risk factors, and this campaign helped detect 182 people with symptoms of potential CKD. (11)
ALCER Conference Relevance
With the aim of continually expanding knowledge about the relationship between the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems and bringing early diagnosis closer to more people, Boehringer Ingelheim supports the annual ALCER conference (held on November 21, 22 and 23 at the Palacio de Congresos, Malaga City) to “convey the importance of visibility into CKD and the collaboration of patients, families and healthcare professionals for its effective management”.
Ahead of the congress, on November 12 and 13, ALCER, in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, held an “Act for Kidneys” campaign at Larios Shopping Center, where participants were given blood and urine screening tests to detect CKD early. Significant contribution to an internationally prestigious event that brings together kidney patients, medical professionals, organizations and organizations related to kidney health to share advances, experiences and suggestions that improve the quality of life for the group through presentations, roundtables, workshops and participatory activities aimed at training, empowerment and awareness.
“At ALCER, we are working to make more people aware of the relationship that exists between kidney, cardiovascular and metabolic health (as general director Juan Carlos Julián concludes). The “Act for Kidneys” campaign has made it possible to bring screening closer to the population and has made it possible to discover hundreds of people who had signs of chronic kidney disease but were unaware of their situation. Promoting health education and access to these simple tests is key to improving prevention and avoiding future complications.
References
1. Gorostidi M et al. Chronic kidney disease in Spain: prevalence and influence of accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors. Nephrology. 2018;38(6):606-615. Available at: doi:10.1016/j.nefro.2018.04.004
2. Sandström J, et al. Prevalence, outcomes and costs of chronic kidney disease in a modern population of 2.4 million patients in 11 countries: the CaReMe CKD study. Lancet Registered Health Euro. 2022 6 30;20:100438. doi:10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100438. PMID: 36090671; PMCID: PMC9459126.
3. Romagnani P, et al. chronic kidney disease. Nat Rev This Prim. 2017;3(1):17088.
4. Garcia-Masset R et al. Information and consensus documents for the detection and management of chronic kidney disease. Nephrology. 2022;42(3):233-264. doi:10.1016/j.nefroe.2022.07.003
5. Kidney Disease: Improving Outcomes Globally (KDIGO) CKD Workgroup. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Nephrology 2024;105(4S):S117-S314. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.018.
6. Case A etc. Definition of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic syndromes and their role in prevention, risk classification, and treatment. This is an opportunity for nephrology. Nephrology. 2024;44(6):771-783. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2024.05.001
7. Gómez Huelgas, R. et al. (2014). Consensus document for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrology (2014), 34(1), 34–45. doi:10.3265/Nefrologia.pre2013.Nov.12369
8. Interconnected barometers. https://www.cardiorrenal.es/arxius/imatgesbutlleti/Informe-Barometro-Intercambiodos-Es-Cosa-de-2(1).pdf. Last accessed October 2025.
9. Vijay K, et al. Heart failure in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease: challenges and opportunities. Cardio-renal medicine. 2022;12(1):1–10. doi:10.1159/000520909
10. Metzger M, et al. A discussion of management strategies for common symptoms of progressive CKD. Nephrology Rep 2021 Feb 10;6(4):894-904. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2021.01.038. PMID: 33912741; PMCID: PMC8071652.
11. Arthur. Take control of your kidney health (2025). Available from: https://alcer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Actua-por-tus-rinones.pdf Last accessed: October 2025
About The Author
