Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes and those with a blood relative with chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia or pericarditis.
The symptoms of worsening kidney function are unspecific, and might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite.
Chronic kidney disease is identified by a blood test for creatinine. Higher levels of creatinine indicate a falling glomerular filtration rate (rate at which the kidneys filter blood) and as a result a decreased capability of the kidneys to excrete waste products.
Symptoms of chronic kidney disease:
Stage 1 and 2
*Asymptomatic, hypertension
Stage 3 and 4
*Anemia – loss of energy,
*Decreasing appetite; poor nutrition
*Abnormalities in Calcium, Phosphorus metabolism
*Sodium, water, potassium, and acid base abnormalities
Stage 5
*All the above – accentuated; eventually overt uremia
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease amongst people with other co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease will be considerably higher than 4.9%.
Conditions associated with a high risk of silent development of parenchymal kidney disease:
• Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure
• Atherosclerotic coronary, cerebral, or peripheral vascular disease
Chronic kidney disease
