Abstract: SA-PO1134
Suboptimal Use of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Among Patients with Newly Diagnosed CKD in the United States
Session Information
- CKD: Progression, Drugs, Modalities, and Environmental Factors
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Authors
- Lee, Lydia Yejin, Boehringer Ingelheim Corp USA, Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States
- Levy, Adrian R., Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Witkowski, Nancy A, Boehringer Ingelheim Corp USA, Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States
- Bengtson, Lindsay GS, Boehringer Ingelheim Corp USA, Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States
Background
With the recent expansion of the KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2024 and increasing availability of CKD treatments, greater emphasis is being placed on timely utilization of guideline-directed medical therapy, including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), statins, and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). This study examines the use of these classes of medications in newly diagnosed adults with CKD in the United States.
Methods
A retrospective study using Optum® Market Clarity™ from 2021 to 2023 was conducted. The cohort included adults with two estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures <60ml/min/1.73m2, 3-12 months apart, followed by CKD diagnosis. The percentage of patients receiving a RAASi, statin, or SGLT2i within 90 and 365 days of CKD diagnosis and the baseline sociodemographic characteristics are presented annually from 2021-2023.
Results
The cohort comprised 82,061 individuals with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of CKD (mean age: 74 years, SD: 10). Between 2021 and 2023, annual rates of medication fills within 90 days of CKD diagnosis, remained stable for RAASi (52% to 53%), declined approximately 10% for statins (57% to 52%), and nearly doubled for SGLT2i (5% to 9%). Within 365 days, similar patterns were observed, albeit with higher overall use for each medication class relative to within 90 days (Figure 1). From 2021 to 2023, most patients receiving medical therapy had Stage 3 CKD and the average age of patients and the proportion of those insured by Medicare Advantage have generally increased (Figure 2).
Conclusion
In this newly diagnosed CKD cohort, use of guideline-directed medical therapy remains low, thus suboptimal, and for statins is declining slightly. There should be an increased focus on guideline-directed medical therapy of CKD by primary care providers and specialists in nephrology, cardiology and endocrinology fostered by the development and implementation of medication-related quality measures. Additional research on the benefits of timely CKD medical therapy is warranted.
Funding
- Commercial Support – Boehringer Ingelheim