Gender Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease Management: A Look at Primary Care

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlighted significant gender disparities in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) within primary care settings. The research, conducted by a team led by Dr. Jorge A. Rodriguez from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, revealed that women are facing challenges in receiving guideline-based CKD management compared to men. The study, presented at the annual meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine, analyzed data from 7,903 adult patients with CKD across 15 practices. Among the key findings, it was observed that women were less likely to undergo laboratory testing and receive vital medications like renal-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Furthermore, women showed lower rates of controlled blood pressure and fewer referrals to nephrologists compared to their male counterparts. These disparities, while small in magnitude, raise important questions about the quality of care provided to women with CKD and the need for further investigation into the underlying factors contributing to these differences. The study's authors emphasize the importance of addressing and closing the gender gap in CKD management to ensure equitable and effective care for all patients.