Bayer launches support tool for diabetic kidney disease

Bayer has launched a digital patient support package in England designed to help people with type 2 diabetes look after the health of their kidneys and avoid progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The package, dubbed My Kidney Assistant, offers personalised health information and data recording features and is being rolled out initially to a cohort of diabetes patients in England, including some who have already been diagnosed with CKD.

Kidney damage is a well-recognised complication of diabetes, with around 40% of patients eventually going on to develop CKD. That also raises their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Bayer Digital Health UK & Ireland, a newly established business unit.

My Kidney Assistant allows users to log health data like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, as well as test results and how well they are adhering to drug treatments. They can also set personal goals – including weight loss, activity levels, and alcohol reduction – and get reminders to take their medication.

The tool – developed in collaboration with patient engagement specialist Cognitant Group and accessible on any Internet-enabled device – also provides advice on other health measures such as stopping smoking, diet planning and taking regular exercise.

The expectation is that patients using the app will be able to understand and manage their risk of CKD more effectively. Meanwhile, for those already diagnosed with CKD, Bayer hopes that improved self-management and treatment adherence will help to reduce disease progression.

According to Cognitant’s co-founder and chief executive, Dr Tim Ringrose, studies have shown that around 61% of England’s working-age population find health information difficult to understand, and between 40% and 80% of information given during doctor appointments is forgotten immediately.

“My Kidney Assistant is a support package that’s been specially created to fulfil an important need,” he said. “It is an example of how multiple stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem can collaborate to create impactful digital support programmes, pooling their expertise to produce a tool that really makes a difference to…engagement and health outcomes.”

Earlier this year, Bayer secured approval from NICE for NHS use of recently-approved therapy Kerendia (finerenone) as an add-on to standard care for the treatment of adults with stage 3 and 4 CKD associated with type 2 diabetes.

Bayer has made digital health a core part of its offering to patients, alongside the prescription medicines it brings to market as well as consumer health products, and for a number of years, has run a digital health incubation scheme to support start-ups in the category.

“We look forward to working with our partners to better understand the value added from My Kidney Assistant and also explore how it can be enhanced to provide even greater functionality and support those at risk of kidney disease, allowing for even earlier identification and prevention of complications,” commented Nigel Brokenshire, head of Bayer Digital Healthcare UK & Ireland.