Chronic Kidney Disease in Balkan Countries—A Call for Optimal Multidisciplinary Management

Mario Laganović (), Radomir Naumović, Milena Nikolova, Petar Petrov, Josipa Radić, Igor Mitić and Andreja Marn Pernat
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Mario Laganović: Department of Nephrology, Clinical Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Radomir Naumović: Clinic of Nephrology, Zvezdara University Clinical Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Milena Nikolova: Clinic of Nephrology, University Hospital “St Ivan Rilski”, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Petar Petrov: Clinic of Nephrology, University Hospital St. Marina, 9010 Varna, Bulgaria
Josipa Radić: Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Centre Split, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Igor Mitić: Clinic for Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Andreja Marn Pernat: Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: The treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been considerably transformed in the last couple of years. However, effective management of patients with CKD is still not achieved, despite clear guidelines promoting active screening of high-risk patients, immediate diagnosis based on laboratory markers, and early initiation or intensification of pharmacotherapy like sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which showed reliable results in preventing disease progression, complications, and mortality. Following a recent initiative on early diagnosis, nephrology experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia discussed the challenges and opportunities related to CKD treatment in the Balkan countries, also reflecting on the heterogenous socio-economic context of the region. The ongoing education of all stakeholders involved in kidney care, structured support for primary care providers, and the improvement of multidisciplinary networks were consistently recognized as key success factors. Optimal CKD management is based on continuity of care and the timely transition of coordination from primary care to nephrology-specialized services.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease; CKD; treatment; SGLT2 inhibitor; Balkan; Eastern Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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