Impact of Specialised Renal Care in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Impact of Specialised Renal Care in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3-5: A Prospective Randomised Study. "The Implicate Study"

This is a prospective randomised trial studying patients with stage 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in order to determine the impact of specialised care by nephrologists compared to guidelines-directed management by primary care physicians (PCP) on: a) prognosis (clinical outcome), b) planning of renal replacement therapy (RRT) (urgent versus planned initiation RRT) and c) patient satisfaction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with CKD stage 3, 4 and 5 (CCl < 40 ml/min according to abbreviated MDRD formula) aged 18-80 years old and enrolled during a hospitalization.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients previously known by nephrologists.
• Estimated life expectancy < 1 year
• Refusal or inability to sign writing consent