Overview of the evaluation of newly identified chronic kidney disease

RBC: red blood cell; SPEP: serum protein electrophoresis; UPEP: urine protein electrophoresis; NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
* Among patients at higher risk for multiple myeloma, we obtain SPEP, UPEP with immunofixation, and serum free light chains at the time of initial evaluation. Higher-risk patients are those >40 years who have a documented increase in creatinine over three to six months and have no other obvious cause for kidney dysfunction such as NSAID use or exposure to contrast.
¶ Risk factors for renovascular disease include hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, age >50 years, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease in other vascular beds.