1. ¹Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
2. ²Department of Medical Informatics, ERA-EDTA Registry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3. ³CNR-IBIM Clinical Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Renal and Transplantation Unit, Ospedali Riuniti, Reggio Calabria, Italy

Correspondence: Diana C Grootendorst, Department of Clinical Epidemiology C7-99, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. E-mail: d.c.grootendorst@lumc.nl

Received 26 March 2009; Accepted 28 April 2009; Published online 17 June 2009.

Abstract

Screening refers to the early detection of individuals with unrecognized disease or with early stages of disease among a population. Early detection allows early medical intervention, which may ultimately slow progression of the disease and reduce both morbidity and mortality. As such, screening is an important tool in improving public health. In 1968, Wilson and Jungner proposed 10 criteria to consider prior to starting screening for a disease. This review discusses these criteria when applied to screening for chronic kidney disease with additional focus on (1) the validity of the test to be used for screening; (2) which part of the population to screen; and (3) forms of bias to consider in screening.