New medications usher in new era of kidney care at WVU Medicine

Chronic kidney disease affects millions of Americans, often with little notice. However, recent advancements are changing the way WVU Medicine physicians treat the disease and offering patients new hope.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-in-three adults in the United States is at risk of developing chronic kidney disease, with diabetes and high blood pressure acting as the two main causes. Rates in West Virginia are still among the highest in the country.

Despite its prevalence, kidney disease frequently goes undetected until it reaches an advanced stage.

“Kidney disease is silent until very late in the disease process,” Bethany Pellegrino, M.D., chief of WVU Medicine Nephrology, said. “You can have pretty advanced kidney disease and not know it, which is why screening and awareness are so important.”

Chronic kidney disease is defined as a long-term decline in kidney function lasting at least three months. Such a decline can cause kidney failure and dialysis and potentially require a kidney transplant if left untreated.

Patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity or a family history of kidney conditions are at higher risk. Because symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced, routine blood work plays a critical role in early detection.

“We rely on lab testing, particularly creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate, to understand how well the kidneys are functioning,” Pellegrino said. “The earlier we identify changes, the more we can do to slow progression.”

Prevention methods mainly focus on managing underlying conditions and maintaining overall health.

“The things that are good for your kidneys are the things we already know we should be doing,” Pellegrino said. “Keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing heart health all make a significant difference.”

Within the past two decades, treatment options have expanded dramatically. Several newly approved medications, many initially developed for diabetes, are now proving effective in protecting kidney function and slowing the progression of kidney disease by reducing inflammation and scarring. These medications, combined with standard blood pressure therapy, help patients preserve kidney function longer.

Early results of these new treatments may already be reducing the number of patients requiring dialysis, and the impact could potentially reduce the need for dialysis or transplants. Slowing disease progression may reduce demand for transplants, improving access for patients awaiting a new kidney.

At the same time, WVU Medicine continues to expand access to kidney care across the region. Through its growing network of nephrology specialists and clinics, patients can receive care closer to home.

The WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance has also grown, and as a result, more patients can be evaluated and treated in West Virginia.

Awareness and early action remain the most powerful tools in combating kidney disease.

“The most important thing is knowing you may be at risk and getting checked,” Pellegrino said. “If we catch kidney disease early, we can protect not just the next few years, but decades of a patient’s life.”

In the latest episode of the Live Healthy West Virginia podcast, “Your Kidneys, Upgraded: New Meds Change the Rules of Kidney Care”, Pellegrino discussed new treatment options available for patients diagnosed with kidney disease and ways to reduce risks. The podcast is available on WVU Medicine’s YouTube channel and Spotify.