Table 3 Referral recommendations

Criteria for consultation of a nephrologist:

• Patients < 65 years with a eGFR 45–60 ml/min/1,73 m2

• Rapid deterioration of the renal function (>  3 ml/min/year)

• Patients > 65 years with a eGFR 30–45 ml/min/1,73 m2

• Increase of albuminuria despite adequate pharmacological treatment

Criteria for referral to a specialist

• A new cardiovascular event

• Failure to meet target values despite adequate medication

• Familial dyslipidemia

• Premature, familial or undefined vascular disease

• Suspicion of secondary hypertension.

• Hypertension emerged in a short time and at young age (<  35 years)

• Suspected malignant hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > 120 mmHg or clinical manifestations appropriate to cerebral complications like reduced consciousness, delirium, confusion, sudden impairment of vision or epileptic phenomena)

• Macro-albuminuria (Albumin-Creatinine Ratio > 30 mg/mmol) and/or eGFR (<  30 ml/min/1,73 m2)

• Patients with suspected underlying kidney disease, familial kidney disease or specific sediment abnormalities