A qualitative study documenting unmet needs in the management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the primary care setting

Table 3 Monitoring and treatment protocol by stage of DKD

Stage	Treatment Protocols	PCP Visit Frequency
Stage 1	• Monitor, recommend lifestyle modifications	Every 3 to 6 months
	• Patient education
	• Avoid NSAIDs and other medications that can be harmful to kidneys
	• Introduce some pharmaceutical treatment
Stage 2	• Consider different pharmaceutical treatments	Every 3 to 6 months
	• Refer to nutritionist
	• Increase frequency of visits to every 3 months
	• Consider initial referral to nephrologist
Stage 3a	• Monitor calcium phosphate metabolism and iron stores	Every 3 months
	• Focus more on pharmaceutical treatment
	• Referral to nephrologist
Stage 3b	• Refer to nephrologist for regular visits	Every 3 months
Stage 4	• Kidney-related decisions are made by the nephrologist	N/A
Stage 4	• Still managing patient, but not their kidney condition	N/A
Stage 5 (ESKD)	• Still managing patient when hospitalized, but not their kidney condition	N/A

ISSN: 1471-2458