KIDNEY EARLY EVALUATION PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS

The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP®), reached over 185,000 individuals at increased risk for developing kidney disease between August 2000 and June 2013.

KEEP screenings were offered across the United States to individuals 18 years and older with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney failure. KEEP helped to raise awareness about kidney disease among high risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information, so that kidney disease and its complications could be prevented or delayed.

KEEP participants received the following services at the screening:

  • Blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference measurements
  • Blood and urine tests for signs of diabetes and kidney disease, including
    • Blood glucose check blood sugar
    • Hemoglobin check blood test for anemia
    • Albumin to creatinine ratio (protein in urine)
    • Serum creatinine (measures how well kidneys are filtering blood)
    • Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (test for kidney function)
    • Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides
    • Some participants will also had their calcium, phosphorus, PTH and/or Hemoglobin A1c levels checked.

After the screening, the National Kidney Foundation:

  • Sent participants their results
  • Sent results to the participant's clinician, with their permission
  • Referred uninsured participants to a clinician or public health facility, if needed
  • Provide additional information, education and support
  • Invited participants back to attend a KEEP screening every year

KEEP Resources

A number of papers on KEEP have been published in numerous peer reviewed journals. To learn more about KEEP and its data findings, visit the links below:

KEEP Healthy is a community-based initiative to educate about the kidneys, risk factors for kidney disease, and steps to take to keep kidneys healthy and reduce risk.