Hospitals join the World Kidney Day initiative

On the occasion of World Kidney Day, Boehringer Ingelheim has taken another step in its commitment to raising awareness with its campaign ‘(In)visible Connections’, which has the endorsement of the patient organizations Cardioalianza, the Spanish Diabetes Federation (FEDE) and the National Federation of Associations for the Fight Against Kidney Diseases (Alcer), as well as with the scientific endorsement of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (Semergen) and the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG).

Chronic kidney disease represents one of the main public health challenges at a global level. In Spain, one in seven adults suffers from this pathology and yet, it is estimated that two out of three people with CKD do not know they have it. This high underdiagnosis is explained, to a large extent, because it is an asymptomatic disease in the early stages, which makes its early detection difficult. Furthermore, people with chronic kidney disease have a higher risk of suffering cardiovascular complications5, which makes their early identification especially relevant.

Now Boehringer Ingelheim carries the message in a coordinated and simultaneous manner to a large part of the national territory. Over the course of a week, around 50 health centers in 15 communities in Spain will have virtual reality glasses that will allow patients and healthcare professionals to immerse themselves in an immersive experience that, through video, about the daily life of a person with chronic kidney disease and helps to clearly and visually understand its close relationship with cardiovascular risk, highlighting how cardiovascular diseases and metabolic diseases can influence the development of chronic kidney disease6.

Regarding this initiative, Arantxa Garcíadirector of Medicine of the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic franchise of Boehringer Ingelheim, pointed out that “our objective is to contribute to a greater understanding of a disease that remains little known and that, on many occasions, is perceived as complex or remote for citizens. Through innovative tools such as virtual reality, we seek to facilitate the visualization of how chronic kidney disease impacts the body and its close relationship with other pathologies, reinforcing awareness about the importance of early detection and comprehensive vision of health”.

The virtual reality experience, distributed in around 50 health centers and hospitals in Spain, It allows participants to learn in an immersive way the impact of chronic kidney disease and understand the profound interconnection between CKD and cardiovascular diseases, a relationship of particular relevance considering that people with CKD have a high risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD), even in the early stages of chronic kidney disease.

The incidence of CVD in patients with CKD is high and, at the same time, CKD is more prevalent in subjects with cardiovascular disease (39.8% vs. 14.6% in subjects without cardiovascular disease, p < 0.001)2, an interrelation in which blood pressure constitutes one of the most relevant determinants of cardiovascular and renal health in populations, which helps to explain why between 42% and 53% of patients with heart failure also suffer from CKD.

“Scientific evidence shows that These pathologies should not be addressed in isolation, since they are part of the same biological framework that influences each other. Only from a comprehensive vision, which takes into account the interconnection between the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems, is it possible to anticipate the appearance of complications, identify people at risk earlier and contribute to a better evolution of the disease over time” explained the doctor. Isabel Egocheaga Hair, responsible for the SEMG Cardiovascular Working Group.

In this context, the early detection becomes a key toolnot only to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, but also to reduce the risk of associated cardiovascular complications5.

“From the perspective of people who live with chronic kidney disease, we insist on the need to prioritize early diagnosis as a key tool to slow the progression of the disease. Kidney disease can be detected in the initial stages through simple and accessible tests, such as a blood test and a urine test, which allow early identification of alterations in the functioning of your kidneys. It is essential to increase awareness, facilitate access to early diagnosis and prevent your kidneys from stopping working,” commented Juan Carlos Julián, general director. of Alcer.

key connection

The heart, kidneys and organs involved in metabolism They are closely interconnected, so when one of these systems is affected, the probability increases that the others will also be affected. Along these lines, and beyond cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and a family history of chronic kidney disease constitute some of the main risk factors for CKD, which highlights the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to these pathologies.

From clinical practice, this relationship translates into a key opportunity to improve patient management. “Understanding this interconnection allows patients at risk to be identified earlier and act earlier, with a direct impact on their quality of life,” adds Dr. Isabel Egocheaga Cabello. In this sense, awareness initiatives such as this one contribute to expanding knowledge about chronic kidney disease and its close relationship with cardiovascular risk, helping to convey to the population and health professionals the importance of early detection and a comprehensive vision of health that takes into account the interconnection between the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems.