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

## TL;DR

This paper highlights the need for better multidisciplinary care for chronic kidney disease in Balkan countries, despite recent advances in treatment and guidelines.

## Contribution

The paper presents a collaborative analysis of CKD management challenges and opportunities in the Balkans, emphasizing the need for improved coordination and education.

## Key findings

- Effective CKD management remains a challenge in Balkan countries despite existing guidelines.
- Early diagnosis and use of SGLT2 inhibitors can prevent disease progression and complications.
- Education, primary care support, and multidisciplinary networks are key to successful CKD management.

## 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.