Referral criteria for chronic kidney disease: implications for disease management and healthcare expenditure—analysis of a population-based sample

Table 3 Estimated referral rates according to different guidelines, the KFRE only and the corresponding costs, N = 1927

Guideline (year)	Participants eligible for referral n, (%)	Participants eligible for referral by age category, n (%)		estimated referral costs (€)^C according to referral criteria
		< 60 years^a	≥ 60 years^b
DGfN/DGIM (2015)	159/1927 (8.3)	4 (0.4)	155 (16.5)	4,384.48
KDIGO (2012)	148/1927 (7.7)	4 (0.4)	144 (15.3)	4, 080.88
NICE (2014)	103/1927 (5.4)	3 (0.3)	100 (10.6)	2,839.86
DEGAM (2019)	95/1927 (4.9)	4 (0.4)	91 (9.7)	2,618.08
KFRE (only)	15/1927 (0.8)	3 (0.3)	12 (1.3)	411.06
NICE 2021 (incl. KFRE)	104/1927 (5.4)	4 (0.4)	100 (10.6)	2,866.48

DGfN/DGIM German Society of Nephrology/German Society of Internal Medicine, KDIGO Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes, NICE National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, DEGAM German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians
^a proportions based on n = 987 participants aged < 60 years, ^b proportions based on n = 940 participants aged ≥ 60 years. ^c Estimates based on a single specialist nephrologist consultation per person, excluding laboratory tests and ultrasound and biopsy, €26.62/consultation for patients < 60 years, €27.60/consultation for patients ≥ 60 years

ISSN: 1471-2369