Table 1.
Characteristics of patients in the Veterans Affairs Health system with diabetes and CKD
| Variables | Stage 3 CKD, n=254,985 | Stage 4 CKD, n=26,238 |
|---|---|---|
| Age, yr, % | ||
| 18–44 | 0.13 | 0.21 |
| 45–64 | 14 | 14 |
| ≥65 | 86 | 86 |
| Men, % | 98 | 98 |
| Race, % | ||
| White | 83 | 80 |
| Black | 14 | 18 |
| Other | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Diagnostic Cost Group RRS, mean (SD) | 2 (3) | 3 (4) |
| History of cardiovascular disease, %a | 55 | 65 |
| History of hypertension, % | 91 | 93 |
| Receiving care at a teaching facility, % | 40 | 41 |
| Receiving care from a physician providerb, % | 75 | 76 |
| Number of primary care visits, mean (SD) | 6 (6) | 7 (7) |
| eGFR, mean (SD) | 48 (8) | 24 (4) |
| Use of ACEIs or ARBs, % | 64 | 59 |
| Use of statins, % | 85 | 84 |
| UACR/UPR measurement, % | 33 | 29 |
| Hemoglobin measurement, % | 74 | 72 |
| BP<130/80 mm Hg, % | 32 | 34 |
| BP<140/90 mm Hg, % | 47 | 49 |
RRS, relative risk score; ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; UACR, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio; UPR, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio.
a
History of cardiovascular disease includes a history of ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, or ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
b
Missing data: provider type: n=3804 (stage 3 CKD), n=446 (stage 4 CKD); Diagnostic Cost Group RRS (stage 3 CKD): 4517, Diagnostic Cost Group RRS (stage 4 CKD): 464.