Kidney Care UK has identified that around 3.5 million people in the UK have chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood properly. CKD can lead to serious complications, such as high blood pressure, Anemia, and bone disease. Alarmingly, there are 40-45,000 premature deaths in the UK every year due to CKD, which is equivalent to filling the Royal Albert Hall nine times over[1].
Early Detection and Management of CKD
The good news is that if CKD is detected early and managed appropriately, the deterioration in kidney function can be slowed or even stopped, and the risk of associated cardiovascular complications can be reduced[2].
Kidney function tests include blood and urine tests that can help detect early signs of kidney problems. The blood test uses a calculation known as your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to calculate how many millilitres of waste your kidneys should be able to filter in a minute. eGFR is a particularly useful way to screen for and detect impaired kidney function at an early stage[3].
Alongside your eGFR, urine tests can help give a more accurate picture of how well your kidneys are working. These tests can detect blood or protein in your urine and check for raised creatinine levels, which can indicate kidney damage[4].
Benefits of Offering Kidney Function Tests in the Workplace
Offering kidney function tests to employees as part of a comprehensive health and wellness program can have several benefits for both the employee and the employer. It could lead to improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, increased employee satisfaction and retention, and improved productivity.
Are you considering onsite employee health checks as part of your wellbeing strategy? Brunsdon Employee Benefits provide a range of health checks through our partners that include kidney disease tests, as well as more comprehensive sets of tests that can identify early cancer risks.
