Sex-related differences exist in the detection, recognition, monitoring, related referrals, and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Among 227,847 adults with probable CKD during 2009-2017, women had lower odds of having received a diagnostic code for CKD and were less likely to have received a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor and statins, despite the presence of guideline-recommended indications. Regardless of disease severity, presence of albuminuria, or criteria for referral, women were found to be less likely to have received a CKD diagnosis (HR, 0.43) or visited a nephrologist (HR, 0.46). Even women with diabetes or hypertension were less likely to undergo monitoring of creatinine or albuminuria. When adjusting for comorbidities, albuminuria, and highest educational achievement and among individuals with confirmed CKD at retesting, sex-related associations persisted. Despite improvements in nephrology care indicators over time, the observed sex gap persisted.
