[Chronic Kidney Disease: epidemiology, implications for clinical practice and equations for diagnosis].

Abstract

The article is based, among other things, on the updated KDIGO guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease, which was published in Kidney International in March 2024. Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common chronic diseases, with a prevalence of around 10%, not least due to demographic ageing. The incidence of chronic kidney disease is approximately twice that of diabetes and approximately 20 times higher than that of cancer. Chronic kidney disease is classified using glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria. The definition of CKD may also include markers other than GFR and ACR. Patients with diabetes or hypertension should have GFR and ACR tested regularly. The individual risk of kidney failure requiring dialysis can be determined using a prediction equation. A better understanding of age- and gender-specific differences means that personalized therapy approaches are becoming increasingly important. Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of the endogenous biomarkers creatinine and cystatin C for determining GFR. For Germany, the equations of the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) are recommended for estimating GFR.