The 2025 Guidelines Update marks a fundamental shift in practice—moving away from a glucocentric view toward a comprehensive strategy focused on delaying renal progression and reducing cardiovascular risk. These flashcards are designed to help pharmacists and healthcare professionals quickly recall the updated diagnostic criteria, the new foundational role of SGLT2 inhibitors, and the specific indications for non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs).
Key Topics Covered:
Diagnostic Criteria: Memorizing the thresholds for CKD diagnosis: an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² and/or a random Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) 2.0 mg/mmol on repeated measures.
Foundational Therapy: Understanding the recommendation to use SGLT2 inhibitors as a primary treatment for renoprotection in eligible patients, regardless of glycemic control.
New Agents: Identifying finerenone (a non-steroidal MRA) as an add-on therapy for patients with Type 2 diabetes and CKD who remain at risk despite standard care.
RAAS Blockade: Recalling the rule to use an ACE inhibitor or an ARB for albuminuric patients, but never to combine them due to hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury risk.
Sick Day Management: Reviewing the “SADMANS” protocol for holding medications during acute illness to prevent acute kidney injury.