CKD is a serious and common condition that can be both complex and costly to treat. National surveys show its incidence at a considerably higher prevalence than previously appreciated—an estimated 26 million American adults have CKD. The cost for renal replacement therapy continues to rise, and the drastic increase in occurrences of adult-onset diabetes and hypertension, which are major causes of ESRD in patients on dialysis, have made CKD a public health crisis. This presentation will address strategies to slow the progression of this disease, identify gaps in the current delivery of care, and provide strategies to improve and integrate service provisions for the different stages of CKD for optimal outcomes. The economic ramifications of this disease will also be discussed.

This educational activity consists of recorded presentations from the 2010 Innovations in Wellness and Disease Management conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 17-18, 2010. For more information on additional presentations from this event please go to, http://www.optumhealtheducation.com/cme/wellness/innovations-in-wellness-and-disease-management.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to

1. Define the stages, incidence, and risk factors for CKD and review the disease’s economic impact.
2. Propose strategies to delay CKD’s progression, prevent complications, and best prepare for and improve outcomes after renal replacement therapy.
3. Identify the benefits of early identification and timely referral to a nephrologist to optimize patient care.

Presenter
Amit Sharma, MD, FACP, FASN
Director of Clinical Research
Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute
Meridian, Idaho

Faculty Disclosures
As a sponsor accredited by the ACCME, the Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior and the joint sponsor, OptumHealth Education requires the disclosure of any significant financial interest or other relationship a faculty member or sponsor has with the manufacturer(s) of any product discussed in this educational presentation. The faculty reported the following:

Amit Sharma, MD, FACP, FASN
Dr Sharma has indicated that he has no relevant financial relationships.
Dr Sharma does not intend to discuss unapproved/investigative use of commercial products/devices.

Disclosure of Unlabeled or Investigational Drugs
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings. Further, attendees/participants should appraise the information presented critically and are encouraged to consult appropriate resources for any product or device mentioned in this program.

Staff Disclosures
In compliance with the ACCME's Standards for Commercial Support, employees of OptumHealth Education who have control over content of a CME activity are required to disclose their relevant financial relationships. No employee has a relevant financial relationship regarding this activity.

Contact Information for Content, Website and/or CNE/CE Questions
OptumHealth Education
Phone: (800) 326-9166
E-mail: moreinfo@optumhealtheducation.com

Contact Information for CME Credit Questions
Sheryl Morgan
Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior
Phone: (651) 789-3730
E-mail: shmorgan@smithbucklin.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit
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Sponsored By
This activity is jointly sponsored by the Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior and OptumHealth Education.

Commercial Support
There was no commercial support received for this activity.

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