Chronic kidney disease in adults: assessment and management
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the term used to describe reduced kidney function and /or abnormal structure of the kidneys (eg cysts) that has been present for over 3 months. It is a common condition effecting between 5-8% of the population and carries a risk of increased morbidity and mortality not only as a result of end-stage kidney failure but through cardiovascular disease.
Early identification and management are key to reducing adverse outcomes and over the last ten years several drivers have resulted in a sea change in the patient pathway across all healthcare services. At the heart of this was the development of NICE CKD management guidelines, the introduction not eGFR reporting , and the inclusion of CKD monitoring in the GP Quality and Outcome Framework to provide an opportunity to identify, register and monitor patients with chronic kidney disease.
