Prasad B, Osman M, Jafari M, et al. - In this study population of patients with CKD and eGFR of 15–59 ml/min per 1.73 m ² followed in multidisciplinary clinics, higher costs of hospital admissions, physician visits, and drugs were seen in those at higher risk of progression to kidney failure by the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) than those in the low-risk category.

• KFRE has been demonstrated to correctly estimate progression to renal failure in adults with CKD.

• This is a retrospective cohort study of 1,003 adults with CKD and eGFR of 15–59 ml/min per 1.73 m ² to determine health care utilization patterns of patients on the basis of their risk of progression to kidney failure.

• Expenses of hospital admissions, physician visits, and drug dispensations over 5-year study span comparing high-risk cases with low-risk ones were (Canadian dollars) $89,265 vs $48,374, $23,423 vs $11,231, and $21,853 vs $16,757, respectively, within the eGFR of 15–29 ml/min per 1.73 m ² group.

• Within the eGFR of 30–59 ml/min per 1.73 m ² group, these expenses were $55,944 vs $36,740, $13,414 vs $10,370, and $20,394 vs $14,902 in high-risk patients vs low-risk ones, respectively, for progression to kidney failure.

• The high-risk group was found to have stronger association with hospitalizations expenses, physician visits, and drug utilizations.