A conceptual framework to assess the health, socioeconomic and environmental burden of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health challenge that affects patients, caregivers, healthcare systems, the environment and national economies. Despite its far-reaching impact, there is no framework to systematically evaluate national CKD prevention and management programmes or evaluate the societal burden of disease. This paper has two objectives: first, to introduce a comprehensive framework to assess national programmes, which recognises gaps and weaknesses and identifies feasible policy interventions to reduce overall CKD burden; second, to present some key challenges and success stories in delivering CKD services delivered in eight different country settings. 

A literature review informed an initial version of the framework, which was further developed and refined via collaboration with a panel of UK experts across relevant disciplines. This framework was then presented to seven other country expert panels (Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the USA) that made further refinements based on their country perspective. The resultant framework covers all health system levels, from preventive public health measures to primary, secondary and tertiary care, including dialysis, transplantation and palliative care. Furthermore, it evaluates the disease burden from economic, social and environmental perspectives. Each panel also discussed challenges regarding providing CKD services in their country and provided success stories, generating valuable insights into areas where policy initiatives could have positive impact on the various components of burden of disease.