It’s important to understand how many stages of chronic kidney disease exist. CKD is divided into five stages. These stages are based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements. These measurements show how well the kidneys are working.
At Liv Hospital, we use eGFR and other tools to find out the CKD stage. This helps us make the right treatment plans. Knowing the CKD grading lets doctors give care that fits each patient’s needs.
It’s important to understand Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to catch it early and manage it well. CKD happens when the kidneys get damaged and can’t filter blood properly.
CKD is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work right. They’re key in removing waste from the blood, controlling blood pressure, and keeping electrolytes balanced.
As CKD gets worse, it can cause toxins to build up in the body. Early detection is critical to slow the disease and manage symptoms.
Several factors can increase the risk of getting CKD. These include:
Risk Factor | Description |
Diabetes | High blood sugar levels can damage kidney blood vessels. |
High Blood Pressure | Hypertension can strain kidney function. |
Family History | A history of kidney disease in the family increases risk. |
Early detection of CKD is key for several reasons. It allows for early action, which can slow the disease’s progress. Regular check-ups and screenings can spot those at risk.
Doctors use blood and urine tests to check kidney function. These tests are vital for diagnosing CKD and figuring out how severe it is.
By knowing about CKD, its risk factors, and the need for early detection, people can take steps to keep their kidneys healthy.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is divided into five stages. These stages are based on the eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) value. This helps doctors know how much damage the kidneys have and what treatment to use.
Healthcare professionals use a five-stage system to classify CKD. This system looks at the kidney’s function, shown by the eGFR value. It starts with mild damage in Stage 1 and ends with kidney failure in Stage 5.
CKD Stage | eGFR (ml/min/1.73m2) | Description |
Stage 1 | >90 | Kidney damage with normal or increased eGFR |
Stage 2 | 60-89 | Mildly decreased eGFR |
Stage 3 | 30-59 | Moderately decreased eGFR |
Stage 4 | 15-29 | Severely decreased eGFR |
Stage 5 | Kidney failure |
The stage of CKD is mainly based on the eGFR value. This value shows how much fluid the kidneys filter per minute. The eGFR test is key for checking kidney function and finding the right CKD stage.
“The eGFR is a critical measure for diagnosing and staging CKD, as it reflects the kidney’s filtering capacity.”
Many people think there’s a “Stage 6 kidney failure.” But, the real system only has five stages, with Stage 5 being kidney failure. “Stage 6” is not a valid medical term.
Knowing the right stage of CKD is key for both patients and doctors. It helps in managing the disease well and making the best treatment choices.
Checking kidney health involves several tests, with eGFR being key. These tests help us see how well our kidneys filter waste from our blood.
eGFR, or estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, is a blood test. It checks how well your kidneys filter your blood. It looks at creatinine levels, age, sex, and race to guess kidney function. A lower eGFR means your kidneys aren’t working as well.
Creatinine is a waste from muscle breakdown. Healthy kidneys remove it from the blood. But, if kidneys fail, creatinine levels go up. This lets doctors check how well kidneys are working.
Creatinine clearance is another way to check kidney function, mainly in renal failure. It shows how much blood plasma the kidneys clear of creatinine per time. As kidney failure gets worse, creatinine clearance goes down, showing kidneys are failing more.
Other tests also check kidney health. Urine tests look for protein or blood, and imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans show kidney pictures. Sometimes, a kidney biopsy is needed to look at kidney tissue directly.
Knowing about these tests is key to managing kidney disease. Accurate kidney function checks help doctors create the right treatment plans. This can help slow down kidney disease’s progress.
The KDIGO CKD classification system helps stage CKD using eGFR and albuminuria. It’s now the main way to check how severe CKD is and decide on treatments.
The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) system is widely used. It groups CKD by eGFR and albuminuria levels. This method makes CKD staging and risk assessment more accurate.
Key components of the KDIGO CKD classification system include:
eGFR is key to measuring kidney function. It divides CKD into five stages:
Albuminuria shows kidney damage. The KDIGO system has three albuminuria stages:
The KDIGO system uses eGFR and albuminuria to assess CKD risk. This combined risk assessment is more accurate than each measure alone.
As shown in the CKD staging chart, risk grows with lower eGFR and higher albuminuria.
Healthcare providers can better manage patients with CKD using the KDIGO system. They can tailor treatments based on each patient’s risk level.
Understanding Stage 1 CKD means knowing that a normal eGFR doesn’t mean no kidney damage. People with this stage have an eGFR of 90 or more. This shows their kidneys work fine. Yet, they show signs of kidney damage.
The eGFR is key to checking kidney health. It shows how much fluid the kidneys filter. An eGFR of 90 or more is normal. But, in Stage 1 CKD, other signs of damage are present.
Normal eGFR values can be misleading if other signs of kidney damage are ignored. So, a full check is needed to spot Stage 1 CKD.
Even with normal eGFR, Stage 1 CKD can show kidney damage signs. These include:
Managing Stage 1 CKD means stopping more damage and avoiding heart problems.
Management Strategy | Description |
Lifestyle Modifications | Changing diet, more exercise, quitting smoking, and keeping a healthy weight |
Blood Pressure Control | Medicine and lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure |
Monitoring | Regular visits to check eGFR, proteinuria, and other kidney health signs |
Acting early can slow kidney disease’s progress. Knowing damage signs and using the right management can help keep kidneys healthy.
At Stage 2 CKD, kidney function is mildly reduced. This stage is marked by an eGFR of 60-89 ml/min. It also shows kidney damage.
The eGFR range for Stage 2 CKD shows kidneys not working as well as they should. An eGFR of 60-89 ml/min means a mild decrease in function. Regular monitoring of eGFR is key to track kidney disease and adjust treatment.
Many people with Stage 2 CKD don’t show symptoms. But, some might feel fatigue, swelling, or changes in urination. It’s important to notice these signs and tell a healthcare provider.
The kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. As function declines, waste can build up, causing problems. Early detection and management of CKD can prevent these issues.
Managing Stage 2 CKD involves lifestyle changes and medical care. Controlling conditions like diabetes and hypertension is key to slowing the disease.
Working with a healthcare team helps create a personalized treatment plan. This way, individuals with Stage 2 CKD can manage their condition well.
Stage 3 CKD means a moderate drop in kidney function. It’s split into Stage 3a and Stage 3b based on eGFR levels. Knowing these details helps us understand how serious the disease is and how it’s getting worse.
Stage 3a CKD has an eGFR of 45 to 59 ml/min. People might feel tired, have swelling, or notice changes in how they pee. It’s key to keep an eye on kidney health to stop it from getting worse.
Stage 3b CKD shows a bigger drop in kidney function, with an eGFR of 30 to 44 ml/min. Symptoms can get worse, like anemia, bone problems, and heart issues. We help patients manage these problems and try to slow the disease’s growth.
The main difference between Stage 3a and 3b CKD is the eGFR values and the symptoms and problems they cause. Knowing these differences helps us create treatment plans that fit each patient’s needs.
Characteristics | Stage 3a (G3a) | Stage 3b (G3b) |
eGFR Range | 45-59 ml/min | 30-44 ml/min |
Symptoms | Mild to moderate | Moderate to severe |
Complications | Early signs of anemia, bone disease | More pronounced anemia, bone disease, cardiovascular issues |
We know how important it is to give personalized care to patients with Stage 3 CKD. By understanding the differences between Stage 3a and 3b, we can offer specific treatments. This helps slow down the disease and improve how patients feel.
Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease is a serious condition. It means the kidneys can’t filter waste and fluids well. Patients see a big drop in kidney function, leading to serious problems if not treated right.
The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) shows how well the kidneys work. For Stage 4 CKD, eGFR is between 15 to 29 ml/min. This shows the kidneys are failing and might stop working completely.
People with Stage 4 CKD might feel fatigue, swelling, and changes in urination. They could also face anemia, bone disease, and heart problems. This is because toxins build up in the body.
At Stage 4 CKD, treatment aims to slow disease growth, manage symptoms, and get ready for RRT. This includes dialysis or a kidney transplant. Changing lifestyle, taking medicine, and regular check-ups are key parts of treatment.
A GFR of 15 to 29 means serious kidney disease. It’s important for patients to understand this. They need to make informed choices about their care and get ready for possible RRT.
eGFR Range | Common Symptoms | Treatment Focus |
15-29 ml/min | Fatigue, swelling, changes in urination | Slowing disease progression, managing symptoms, preparing for RRT |
Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease: Kidney Failure and Treatment Options
Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) means kidney failure, with an eGFR of less than 15. At this stage, the kidneys are badly damaged. They can’t do their important jobs anymore.
Symptoms of kidney failure include feeling very tired, swelling, and shortness of breath. Other issues like anemia, bone disease, and heart problems can also happen. It’s important to manage these symptoms and complications to keep a good quality of life.
Treatment for Stage 5 CKD usually involves dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis cleans the blood like the kidneys do. A kidney transplant uses a healthy kidney from a donor. The choice between these depends on the person’s situation.
Chronic kidney disease has five stages. These stages are based on eGFR values. They range from Stage 1, where eGFR is normal but there are signs of kidney damage, to Stage 5, which means kidney failure.
CKD is diagnosed with blood and urine tests. These tests include eGFR and creatinine levels. They help check how well the kidneys are working and if there’s any damage.
Stage 3a CKD has an eGFR of 45-59 ml/min. Stage 3b has an eGFR of 30-44 ml/min. This shows a bigger drop in kidney function for Stage 3b.
The KDIGO CKD system uses eGFR stages and albuminuria categories. It stages CKD and helps figure out the risk of it getting worse.
No, there’s no “Stage 6 kidney failure.” The system only goes up to Stage 5, which is kidney failure.
eGFR values tell us the CKD stage. Lower eGFR values mean more advanced kidney disease.
Stage 4 CKD symptoms include fatigue, swelling, and shortness of breath. These happen because the kidneys are not working well.
For Stage 5 CKD, treatments are dialysis and kidney transplantation. These help manage kidney failure.
Yes, managing CKD early can slow its progress and control symptoms.
How often to check kidney function depends on CKD stage and patient needs. A healthcare provider decides this.
Creatinine clearance helps check kidney function, mainly in renal failure stages. It shows how well the kidneys filter waste.
Yes, CKD is graded by eGFR values and albuminuria categories. This helps understand how severe it is and its risk of getting worse.
Chronic Kidney Disease – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535404/
