Chronic Kidney Failure and Dialysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical syndrome arising from progressive kidney injury, formerly known as chronic renal failure, chronic renal disease, and chronic renal insufficiency. It is classified into five stages based primarily on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This article discusses the epidemiology of CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), as well as etiology and genetics, pathophysiology, and pathogenesis. The section on diagnosis looks at clinical manifestations and physical findings, laboratory (and other) tests, imaging studies, and biopsy. A short section on differential diagnosis is followed by a discussion of treatment, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Long-term complications of patients on dialysis include cardiovascular disease, renal osteodystrophy, dialysis-related amyloidosis, and acquired cystic disease (renal cell carcinoma). The final section addresses prognosis and socioeconomic burden. Figures include the classification system for CKD, prevalence of CKD in the United States, rising prevalence, risk of, and leading causes of ESRD in the United States, plus the changing prevalence of ESRD over time, clinical manifestations of uremia, a