Fink HA et al. – The role of chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening or monitoring in improving clinical outcomes is uncertain. Evidence for CKD treatment benefit is strongest for angiotensin–converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II–receptor blockers, and in patients with albuminuria combined with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

• MEDLINE (1985 through November 2011), reference lists, and expert suggestions.
• English–language, randomized, controlled trials that evaluated screening for or monitoring or treatment of CKD and that reported clinical outcomes.
• Two reviewers assessed study characteristics and rated quality and strength of evidence.
• No trials evaluated screening or monitoring, and 110 evaluated treatments.

• Angiotensin–converting enzyme inhibitors (relative risk, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.49 to 0.88]) and angiotensin II–receptor blockers (relative risk, 0.77 [CI, 0.66 to 0.90]) reduced end–stage renal disease versus placebo, primarily in patients with diabetes who have macroalbuminuria.
• Angiotensin–converting enzyme inhibitors reduced mortality versus placebo (relative risk, 0.79 [CI, 0.66 to 0.96]) in patients with microalbuminuria and cardiovascular disease or high–risk diabetes.
• Statins and β–blockers reduced mortality and cardiovascular events versus placebo or control in patients with impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate and either hyperlipidemia or congestive heart failure, respectively.
• Risks for mortality, end–stage renal disease, or other clinical outcomes did not significantly differ between strict and usual blood pressure control.
• The strength of evidence was rated high for angiotensin II–receptor blockers and statins, moderate for angiotensin–converting enzyme inhibitors and β–blockers, and low for strict blood pressure control.