Abstract: TH-PO0968
Exploring Gender Differences: CKD Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Hypertensive German Patients - Insights from the InspeCKD Study
Session Information
- Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Wanner, Christoph, Department for Clinical Studies and Epidemiology, Comprehensive Heart Failure Centre, University Clinic Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Mader, Frederik Maria, Joint Family Practice Nittendorf, Nittendorf, Germany
- Frese, Thomas, Institute of General Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Stahl, Philipp, Joint Family Practice Meinecke & Stahl, Burg, Germany
- Weber, Christoph, Practice Rheinlanddamm, Dortmund, Germany
- Opfermann, Ulrich, SYMEDICUM MVZ GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Burckhardt, Fabian, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, Hamburg, Germany
- Scherg, Felix, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, Hamburg, Germany
- Walsemann, Theresa, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, Hamburg, Germany
- Yaghmaei, Shekoofeh, Medical Affairs, AstraZeneca, Baar, Switzerland
- Radowsky, Frank, Family Practice Radowsky, Leipzig, Germany
- Schaeffner, Elke, Institute of Public Health, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Background
Hypertension (HTN) is a strong predictor of kidney and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and a known risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have shown gender differences in CKD management. This analysis investigated gender differences in the frequency of screening, diagnosis, and treatment of CKD in a prespecified subgroup of hypertensive patients in German primary care.
Methods
1,244 general practitioners provided fully anonymized electronic medical records for analysis (study period 06/2020-06/2023). According to the KDIGO screening recommendation, adult patients with HTN, diabetes and/or CV diseases with an observation period of at least 12 months were included in the analysis.
Results
The cohort comprised 448,837 patients, including 340,076 HTN patients. Serum creatinine to estimate eGFR (CKD EPI) was measured at least once in 44.0% of women and 42.7% of men with HTN during the observation period. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was measured at least once in 0.3% of female and male HTN patients. CKD prevalence was increased 1.5-fold in women with HTN (21.6% vs. 14.1% in men). Despite laboratory confirmed CKD according to KDIGO criteria (eGFR <60ml/min/1.73m^2 or UACR ≥30mg/g at ≥2 measurements ≥3 months apart), 88.1% of women vs. 83.8% of men with HTN were not diagnosed with CKD. Six months after CKD diagnosis, 6.5% of women with CKD and 10.8% of men with CKD received combination therapy of a renin-angiotensin inhibitor (RASi) with a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) as recommended by guidelines.
Conclusion
Laboratory testing, notably UACR, was inadequately utilized for early CKD detection in hypertensive patients irrespective of gender. Furthermore, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of CKD varied by gender. Despite a higher prevalence of CKD in women with HTN, they were less likely to be diagnosed with CKD and to receive guideline-directed CKD treatment. Findings from the InspeCKD study underline the need to optimize CKD screening, coding and clinical management, especially concerning HTN patients in German primary care settings, while also addressing gender-specific aspects of CKD care.
Funding
- Commercial Support – AstraZeneca, Germany