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Chronic Kidney Disease in Balkan Countries—A Call for Optimal Multidisciplinary Management

Author

Listed:
  • Mario Laganović

    (Department of Nephrology, Clinical Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Radomir Naumović

    (Clinic of Nephrology, Zvezdara University Clinical Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milena Nikolova

    (Clinic of Nephrology, University Hospital “St Ivan Rilski”, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Petar Petrov

    (Clinic of Nephrology, University Hospital St. Marina, 9010 Varna, Bulgaria)

  • Josipa Radić

    (Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Centre Split, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Igor Mitić

    (Clinic for Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Andreja Marn Pernat

    (Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

The treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been considerably transformed in the last couple of years. However, effective management of patients with CKD is still not achieved, despite clear guidelines promoting active screening of high-risk patients, immediate diagnosis based on laboratory markers, and early initiation or intensification of pharmacotherapy like sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which showed reliable results in preventing disease progression, complications, and mortality. Following a recent initiative on early diagnosis, nephrology experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia discussed the challenges and opportunities related to CKD treatment in the Balkan countries, also reflecting on the heterogenous socio-economic context of the region. The ongoing education of all stakeholders involved in kidney care, structured support for primary care providers, and the improvement of multidisciplinary networks were consistently recognized as key success factors. Optimal CKD management is based on continuity of care and the timely transition of coordination from primary care to nephrology-specialized services.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Laganović & Radomir Naumović & Milena Nikolova & Petar Petrov & Josipa Radić & Igor Mitić & Andreja Marn Pernat, 2025. "Chronic Kidney Disease in Balkan Countries—A Call for Optimal Multidisciplinary Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:140-:d:1573188
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rupert W Major & David Shepherd & James F Medcalf & Gang Xu & Laura J Gray & Nigel J Brunskill, 2019. "The Kidney Failure Risk Equation for prediction of end stage renal disease in UK primary care: An external validation and clinical impact projection cohort study," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Susanne Stolpe & Bernd Kowall & Christian Scholz & Andreas Stang & Cornelia Blume, 2021. "High Unawareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Zoltán Kaló & Adrian Gheorghe & Mirjana Huic & Marcell Csanádi & Finn Boerlum Kristensen, 2016. "HTA Implementation Roadmap in Central and Eastern European Countries," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25, pages 179-192, February.
    4. Zoltán Kaló & Adrian Gheorghe & Mirjana Huic & Marcell Csanádi & Finn Boerlum Kristensen, 2016. "HTA Implementation Roadmap in Central and Eastern European Countries," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(S1), pages 179-192, February.
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