Abstract
Objective: To examine electronic records of GP management of chronic kidney disease.
Design: Cross‐sectional study.
Setting: Thirteen general practices.
Participants: Fifteen thousand four hundred and fiftteen active patients aged 50 years and over.
Main outcome measure: Recorded estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and diabetes, and rate of prescribing of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACE/ARBs).
Results: Six thousand and fifty‐nine (39%) patients had hypertension and 1859 (12%), diabetes. Two thousand six hundred and eighty‐nine (17%) patients were recorded with eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1, while 3344 (22%) did not have an eGFR result recorded. Hypertension, diabetes and eGFR <60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1 were shown to be significantly related to prescribing of ACE/ARBs; however, 31% of known diabetics and 23% of diabetics with an eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1 are not recorded as receiving ACE or ARB therapy. Forty‐two per cent of patients with eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1, are also not recorded as receiving ACE or ARB therapy. There was a 23% variation in the rates of prescribing of ACE/ARBs by practice for patients with diabetes and eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1.
Conclusion: The overall recording of eGFR and the recorded prescribing of ACE or ARB therapy in known diabetics and patients with eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1 appear suboptimal. Also, the variations in prescribing between practices require further investigation.
Design: Cross‐sectional study.
Setting: Thirteen general practices.
Participants: Fifteen thousand four hundred and fiftteen active patients aged 50 years and over.
Main outcome measure: Recorded estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and diabetes, and rate of prescribing of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACE/ARBs).
Results: Six thousand and fifty‐nine (39%) patients had hypertension and 1859 (12%), diabetes. Two thousand six hundred and eighty‐nine (17%) patients were recorded with eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1, while 3344 (22%) did not have an eGFR result recorded. Hypertension, diabetes and eGFR <60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1 were shown to be significantly related to prescribing of ACE/ARBs; however, 31% of known diabetics and 23% of diabetics with an eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1 are not recorded as receiving ACE or ARB therapy. Forty‐two per cent of patients with eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1, are also not recorded as receiving ACE or ARB therapy. There was a 23% variation in the rates of prescribing of ACE/ARBs by practice for patients with diabetes and eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1.
Conclusion: The overall recording of eGFR and the recorded prescribing of ACE or ARB therapy in known diabetics and patients with eGFR < 60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2)–1 appear suboptimal. Also, the variations in prescribing between practices require further investigation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 195-199 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Australian Journal of Rural Health |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |