As we continue to commemorate World Kidney Day and reflect on the importance of kidney health, we are inspired by individuals like Blair Rutter, whose journey embodies the importance of early detection and proactive management of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Blair, a 62-year-old advocate from Winnipeg, shares his compelling story of strength and decisiveness in the face of CKD. Over a decade ago, during a routine check-up with his family doctor, Blair’s blood tests uncovered abnormalities that prompted a referral to a Nephrologist. It was then that Blair learned of his CKD diagnosis, with his kidney function at a concerning 42%. Despite the daunting statistics forecasting a 10% risk of dialysis within five years, Blair remained firm in his commitment to take charge of his health.
Through a regimen of medication and dietary adjustments, Blair’s kidney function stabilized, sparing him from the need for a transplant or dialysis thus far. Dr. Navdeep Tangri, president and scientific founder of Klinrisk, predicts that if Blair and his physician had had access to a Klinrisk test, he could have been diagnosed earlier.
“Klinrisk test would have predicted Blair’s risk of CKD progression much earlier, which could have meant delaying dialysis by another decade, given the therapies we have available today”
Reflecting on his journey, Blair emphasizes the pivotal role of early detection in avoiding invasive treatments like dialysis, which can significantly disrupt one’s quality of life. “Dialysis represents a profound lifestyle adjustment, and I am grateful for the opportunity to maintain a relatively normal life,” Blair shares. “Understanding the numbers is key to assessing kidney function and taking early preventative action. I think it’s essential to be proactive about health and undergo regular check-ups to catch any issues early.”
Blair’s story emphasizes the importance of initiatives like Klinrisk, a groundbreaking program to assess CKD progression risk. This innovative tool utilizes an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI-ML) approach to predict a decline in kidney function or failure across all CKD stages, empowering individuals and healthcare providers with crucial insights.
Echoing Blair’s sentiments, Dr. Louise Moist, a nephrologist, researcher, and leader in kidney disease at Western University, highlights the significant impact of programs like Klinrisk.
“The Klinrisk Equation introduces additional variables beyond the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), enhancing early risk assessment for patients in their chronic kidney disease (CKD) journey,” said Dr. Louise Moist. “This refined approach enables tailored treatment plans to mitigate CKD progression and the related vascular risks before significant kidney function decline occurs. Identifying risk will assist in informing on medication selection and funding decisions for patients with CKD. Klinrisk is a welcome addition to our decision-making algorithm for care of patients with CKD”
As we celebrate Blair’s journey and the strides made in kidney care, we encourage individuals to explore the benefits of Klinrisk and engage in conversations with their healthcare providers.
LifeLabs’ mission is to empower our customers and champion proactive healthcare solutions. LifeLabs will be promoting the Klinrisk test throughout March to raise awareness about the importance of regular testing in managing kidney health. As part of this initiative, LifeLabs has worked with pharmaceutical partners to sponsor the tests for patients in Ontario interested in being proactive about their kidney health so that they can take the test at no charge for a limited time until May 3, 2024.
To learn more about Klinrisk and its role in kidney care, please visit LifeLabs website /test/klinrisk-score