Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who learned to monitor their own urine protein levels at home showed significantly better disease management and reduced their risk of needing dialysis. A new pilot study presented at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners annual meeting in June 2026 demonstrates that enhanced patient education combined with accessible home testing tools can help slow kidney disease progression and improve overall kidney function.

What Is Proteinuria and Why Does It Matter for Kidney Health?

Proteinuria, the presence of excess protein in urine, is a key marker of kidney damage. When kidneys are healthy, they filter waste while keeping proteins in the bloodstream. When kidney function declines, proteins leak into the urine, signaling that the kidneys need closer monitoring. The research team developed an intervention specifically designed to help patients understand and track this critical sign at home.

The study involved 50 patients with CKD who participated in an educational program that taught them how to use and interpret color-coded urine test strips. All 50 participants successfully used the strips and understood their results, demonstrating that home monitoring is both practical and accessible for most patients.

How to Monitor Your Kidney Health at Home?

• Use home urine test strips: Participants were provided with color-coded test strips that measure proteinuria levels, allowing them to track protein loss from home without frequent office visits.
• Reduce sodium intake: The educational program emphasized cutting back on salt in the diet, as high sodium can worsen kidney disease and increase blood pressure.
• Limit red meat consumption: Patients learned that reducing red meat intake helps lower proteinuria and slows disease progression.
• Increase exercise and hydration: Regular physical activity and adequate water intake support kidney function and overall cardiovascular health.
• Schedule follow-up office testing: Home monitoring was paired with regular office visits where healthcare providers could review results and adjust treatment plans as needed.

What Knowledge Gaps Did Patients Have Before Education?

Before the intervention, participants had significant gaps in their understanding of kidney disease management. At baseline, patients scored an average of 32 out of 100 points on a CKD knowledge assessment. The most common knowledge gaps included understanding what proteinuria is, how to manage blood pressure effectively, and which exercise programs would benefit their kidney health.

"The goal was getting patients involved and gaining more awareness of their kidney function, to try to slow down kidney disease progression and hopefully prevent them from having to go on dialysis," explained Lara Devero-Williams, a nurse practitioner who specializes in nephrology and authored the study.

Lara Devero-Williams, APRN, FNP-C, Nurse Practitioner specializing in Nephrology

The educational intervention included a video on CKD management, followed by personalized follow-up calls where healthcare providers discussed the patient's home test results and reinforced dietary and lifestyle changes. This combination of education and monitoring proved highly effective at engaging patients in their own care.

How Did Patient Engagement and Outcomes Improve?

The results were striking. All 50 participants not only successfully used the home test strips but also expressed strong interest in continuing with dietary guidelines and interactive learning opportunities. Beyond proteinuria management, the program also helped patients maintain better blood pressure control and improved their diabetes management, two critical factors in slowing CKD progression.

"We were able to do follow-up calls and education in regards to knowing how much protein they were spilling so that we can be able to do further testing with them in the office to slow down proteinuria to hopefully reduce progression of chronic kidney disease," Devero-Williams stated.

Lara Devero-Williams, APRN, FNP-C, Nurse Practitioner specializing in Nephrology

CKD is the fifth leading cause of mortality in the United States and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The ability to empower patients to monitor their own kidney function at home represents a meaningful shift in how kidney disease can be managed before it progresses to end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis.

While the study was limited by short-term follow-up and some organizational changes during the research period, the findings demonstrate a clear pathway toward improved patient knowledge and self-management of chronic kidney disease. Healthcare providers and patients alike now have evidence that accessible home monitoring tools, combined with targeted education, can help prevent the progression to dialysis and preserve kidney function for longer.