Chronic Kidney Disease: Screening, Follow-up and Referral

摘要

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease(CKD) and End-stage renal disease(ESRD) in the United States has beenincreasing.1 There are more than onemillion people with stage 4 and 5 CKDand possibly as many as 20 million withstage 2 and 3 CKD in the United States.Evidence has been accumulating for decadesthat early detection and treatment ofpatients with CKD leads to better patientoutcomes. In addition, it is believed thatpatients with CKD are at higher risk forcardiovascular disease. Far more peoplewith CKD will die from cardiovasculardisease than will develop ESRD. We will,therefore, attempt to answer three questionsof relevance to primary care physicianscaring for patients with CKD.