Background

Patients with early chronic kidney disease (CKD) or underlying risk factors are often unaware of their kidney test results, common causes of CKD, and ways to lower risk of disease onset/progression.

Objective

To test feasibility of a pharmacist-led intervention targeting patient education and risk factors in patients with early CKD and those at risk for CKD.

Practice description

Ambulatory care pharmacists in community-based primary care clinics delivered kidney health education, ordered labs, and recommended medication adjustments.

Practice innovation

We identified patients with a moderate rate of decline (≥2 mL/min/1.73 m² per year) in estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) at-risk for CKD or early stage CKD. An interactive workbook was designed to teach patients about kidney test results and self-management of risk factors including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cigarette smoking, and chronic oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.

Evaluation methods

Outcomes included visit uptake, completion of annual albuminuria screening, and initiation of guideline-directed medications for CKD. Patients were surveyed pre- and post-intervention for kidney health knowledge and perceptions regarding pharmacist-provided information.

Results

Our sample of 20 participants had a mean eGFR of 59 mL/min/1.73 m² and the mean eGFR decline was -4.6 mL/min/1.73 m² per year. There were 47 visits during the pilot period from February 2021 to October 2021. Thirteen patients were missing albuminuria screening within 12 months; 2 of 9 patients with resulting labs had new microalbuminuria and were started on renoprotective medications. Patients had improved understanding of their kidney function test results and most did not consider the information scary or confusing.

Conclusion

Barriers to enrollment included fewer participants with multiple risk factors for CKD. The pharmacists were able to engage patients in learning the importance of monitoring and self-management of kidney health. A collaborative practice agreement may enhance a similar intervention that includes initiation of renoprotective medications.

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. Metformin and lifestyle change through a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) are equally effective in preventing diabetes in patients with a GDM history, so women can choose a strategy based on their preferences. This study aims to test whether shared decision making (SDM) can help women with a history of GDM increase adoption of evidence-based strategies and lose weight to lower their risk of incident diabetes in real-world settings.

Methods

This pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) will test the effectiveness of SDM for diabetes prevention among 310 overweight/obese women with a history of GDM and prediabetes from two large health care systems (n = 155 from UCLA Health and n = 155 from Intermountain Healthcare). The primary outcome is the proportion of participants who lose ≥5% body weight at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include uptake of DPP and/or metformin and other patient-reported outcomes such as patient activation and health-related quality of life. Rates of GDM in a subsequent pregnancy will be an exploratory outcome. A descriptive analysis of costs related to SDM implementation will also be conducted.

Conclusion

This is the first RCT to examine the effectiveness of SDM on weight loss, lifestyle change and/or metformin use, and other patient-reported outcomes in participants with a GDM history at risk of developing diabetes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03766256. Registered on 6 December 2018.