Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions worldwide. Understanding the 5 stages of kidney failure is key for early detection and management.
CKD is divided into five stages based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and kidney function. Knowing your stage helps you work with healthcare providers. This way, you can slow the disease and keep your quality of life good.
As kidney disease gets worse, symptoms get more obvious, and GFR levels drop. Effective management of CKD needs a deep understanding of these stages.
CKD is a big health problem. It causes slow damage to the kidneys or a decrease in their function over time. It often doesn’t show symptoms early, making it important to know about it and manage it well.
CKD is when the kidneys don’t work right for more than 3 months. It includes people with kidney damage signs or an eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/1.73m² on two occasions 90 days apart.
CKD gets worse slowly, often without early symptoms. Doctors check kidney function with eGFR and look for damage signs like albuminuria.
In the United States, about 37 million adults have CKD. But, nearly 90% don’t know they have it. This shows we need more screening and education.
Many things can lead to CKD. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of kidney disease, and certain ethnic backgrounds. Knowing these risk factors helps us find people at risk and take steps to prevent it.
By knowing the risk factors and understanding CKD, we can catch it early. This can help slow down its serious effects on health.
The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is key in checking how well the kidneys work. It shows how fast the kidneys filter out waste from the blood. This helps doctors understand kidney health.
GFR shows how much fluid the kidneys filter in a minute. It’s measured in milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters (mL/min/1.73m). There are two ways to find GFR: estimated GFR (eGFR) and measured GFR.
eGFR uses blood creatinine levels, age, sex, and sometimes race to estimate kidney function. It’s easy and non-invasive. Measured GFR, on the other hand, directly measures the clearance of a substance like inulin or iothalamate.
eGFR is more common because it’s easy. But measured GFR is more accurate and used in research or when exact numbers are needed.
Creatinine is a waste from muscle breakdown. Its blood level shows kidney function. When kidneys don’t work well, creatinine levels go up. eGFR uses creatinine levels because they go up when kidney function goes down.
GFR helps stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD stages range from normal function (Stage 1) to kidney failure (Stage 5).
CKD Stage | GFR (mL/min/1.73m2) | Description |
1 | ≥90 | Normal kidney function but with signs of kidney damage |
2 | 60-89 | Mildly decreased kidney function |
3a | 45-59 | Moderately decreased kidney function |
3b | 30-44 | Moderately to severely decreased kidney function |
4 | 15-29 | Severely decreased kidney function |
5 | <15 | End-stage renal disease (ESRD) |
Knowing about GFR and how to measure it is key for diagnosing and treating kidney disease. It helps doctors find the right treatment for each stage of CKD.
What Are the 5 Stages of Kidney Failure Symptoms?
It’s important to know how chronic kidney disease (CKD) gets worse. CKD has five stages, based on how well the kidneys work. This is measured by the estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and albuminuria levels.
The CKD classification system is based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. It uses eGFR and albuminuria levels to stage CKD. This helps doctors understand how severe CKD is and decide on treatments.
The KDIGO guidelines divide CKD into five stages based on eGFR values:
Doctors figure out your CKD stage by looking at your eGFR and albuminuria levels. They use serum creatinine levels, age, sex, and race to estimate eGFR. Albuminuria is measured by the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR).
Getting the right stage is key for:
CKD can progress differently for everyone. But, it usually follows a certain pattern. As CKD gets worse, the risk of heart disease, anemia, and bone problems goes up.
Understanding how CKD progresses helps doctors:
In Stage 1 CKD, the kidneys are damaged but work fine, with a GFR of 90 or more. People might not feel sick yet. It’s key to watch for risk factors and keep an eye on kidney health.
A GFR of 90 or more means the kidneys are working well or better than usual. But, there might be hidden damage. This damage can show up as proteinuria or hematuria.
Even with a normal GFR, kidney damage can show up in different ways. These include:
Finding these signs early can help manage the condition better.
Managing Stage 1 CKD involves several important steps:
By following these steps, people with Stage 1 CKD can lower the risk of their disease getting worse.
Stage 2 CKD: Mild Loss of Kidney Function
Stage 2 CKD is a critical phase where early action can make a big difference. At this stage, people might not feel sick, but their kidneys are already damaged.
In Stage 2 CKD, the kidney function is slightly reduced. The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is between 60-89. This helps us understand the severity of kidney damage and decide on treatments.
People with Stage 2 CKD might not show obvious symptoms. But, they could have signs of kidney damage. These include:
Regular check-ups are key to catch any worsening or complications early.
Our main goal at Stage 2 is to slow down CKD and manage related health issues. Treatment plans may include:
By taking these steps, we aim to delay more severe kidney problems and complications.
Stage 3 CKD: Moderate Loss of Kidney Function
Stage 3 CKD means a moderate loss of kidney function. The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is between 30-59.
Stage 3a CKD has an eGFR of 45-59. At this level, patients might not feel sick yet. But, tests can show kidney function is starting to drop. Early detection is key for starting treatments that can slow the disease.
Stage 3b shows a bigger drop in kidney function, with an eGFR of 30-44. Symptoms like fatigue and swelling may appear. Keeping a close eye on kidney function is important to handle complications well.
In Stage 3 CKD, symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and changes in urination may start. Spotting these symptoms early helps manage the condition better.
For Stage 3 CKD, treatments aim to slow the disease, manage symptoms, and prevent complications. This includes medicines for blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia, plus lifestyle changes.
Stage | eGFR Range | Common Symptoms | Interventions |
3a | 45-59 | Mild symptoms, often none | Lifestyle changes, monitoring |
3b | 30-44 | Fatigue, swelling, urination changes | Medications, lifestyle adjustments |
Stage 4 CKD: Severe Loss of Kidney Function
Reaching Stage 4 CKD means a big drop in kidney function. Patients face higher health risks. Their kidneys are badly damaged, raising the chance of heart disease and bone problems.
In Stage 4 CKD, the GFR is between 15-29. This shows a big drop in kidney function. It means the kidneys can’t remove waste well.
GFR values are key to knowing the CKD stage. For Stage 4, a GFR of 15-29 shows how bad the kidney damage is.
Stage 4 CKD patients often feel tired, swollen, and have trouble with urination. They also face anemia, bone disease, and heart problems more often.
It’s very important for these patients to work with their doctors. They need to manage their symptoms and avoid more problems.
At Stage 4 CKD, getting ready for renal replacement therapy like dialysis or a transplant is key. Patients should talk to their healthcare team about their options.
Knowing about the treatments and their effects helps patients make good choices for their care.
When kidney disease reaches Stage 5 CKD, or ESRD, the kidneys can’t meet the body’s needs. Patients face serious health issues and a high risk of death. They need renal replacement therapy to survive.
In Stage 5 CKD, the GFR drops below 15 mL/min/1.73m. This shows the kidneys can’t filter waste from the blood well.
GFR Values and Clinical Implications
GFR Range (mL/min/1.73m2) | CKD Stage | Clinical Implication |
>90 | Stage 1 | Kidney damage with normal function |
60-89 | Stage 2 | Mild loss of kidney function |
30-59 | Stage 3 | Moderate loss of kidney function |
15-29 | Stage 4 | Severe loss of kidney function |
<15 | Stage 5 | End-stage renal disease (ESRD) |
Stage 5 CKD patients face severe symptoms and complications. These include:
A study in a leading nephrology journal found ESRD patients are at high risk of serious health issues. These include heart problems, infections, and other life-threatening conditions.
“The management of ESRD requires a complete approach, including renal replacement therapy, to improve patient outcomes.”
ESRD treatment often involves renal replacement therapy. This can be dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Treatment Modalities for ESRD
Treatment Modality | Description | Advantages |
Hemodialysis | Filtering blood outside the body | Effective waste removal, can be done in-center or at home |
Peritoneal Dialysis | Filtering blood inside the body using peritoneum | Greater flexibility, can be done at home |
Kidney Transplantation | Surgical replacement with a donor kidney | Restores normal kidney function, reduces treatment burden |
Managing ESRD is tough, but the right treatment can help patients live well. It’s key to work with healthcare providers to find the best treatment plan.
The KDIGO classification system is a key tool for grading CKD. It helps doctors understand how severe the disease is. This system also helps in planning treatments based on the patient’s risk level.
The KDIGO guidelines use eGFR and albuminuria levels to classify CKD. This approach gives a clear picture of the disease’s severity and how fast it might progress. The KDIGO classification system is vital for spotting patients at high risk of serious problems, allowing for early action.
Healthcare providers use the KDIGO guidelines to sort CKD into stages. They look at eGFR levels, which show how well the kidneys are working, and albuminuria levels, which show kidney damage.
Albuminuria, or albumin in the urine, is a key sign of kidney damage. The level of albuminuria is linked to the risk of CKD getting worse and heart problems. So, checking albuminuria is a big part of grading CKD.
The KDIGO guidelines break down albuminuria into three levels based on the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). This helps doctors understand how severe the kidney damage is and plan treatments.
CKD grading, as set by the KDIGO guidelines, plays a big role in treatment choices. Getting the grading right helps doctors tailor treatments to fit each patient’s needs, leading to better results.
For example, those with more severe CKD might need more intense treatment. This could include changes in lifestyle, medication, and getting ready for kidney replacement therapy.
Even though the KDIGO guidelines are widely used, there are differences in CKD classification and treatment around the world. These differences come from local healthcare policies and the needs of different populations.
It’s important for healthcare providers to know about these differences. This way, they can give care that follows international standards but also meets local needs.
When to See a Doctor: Warning Signs of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease often starts quietly, but there are important signs to watch for. Seeing a doctor early can help slow the disease’s growth. It’s key to catch symptoms early.
In the beginning, kidney disease might not show symptoms. This makes it often missed until it’s more serious. But, some early signs include:
These signs can be small and might seem like other issues. It’s important to see a doctor if they keep happening.
As kidney disease gets worse, symptoms get more serious. These can include:
If you or someone you know has these symptoms, get help right away.
People at higher risk, like those with diabetes or high blood pressure, should get checked often. Tests include:
Screening early can help manage kidney disease better. It might slow its growth.
We suggest that those at high risk talk to their doctor. They can figure out the best test schedule for them.
Living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) needs a full plan to manage it well. Knowing the ckd stages and symptoms is key to slowing the disease.
Good CKD management comes from lifestyle changes and medical care. Keeping an eye on GFR levels helps adjust treatments. This way, people with CKD can live better lives.
We stress the need for active care in chronic kidney disease. Working with healthcare and making smart choices helps control the disease. This way, people can face CKD’s challenges head-on.
Kidney failure is divided into five stages. Each stage is based on how well the kidneys work. The first stage shows normal kidney function but with damage signs. The last stage, Stage 5, means the kidneys barely work.
Stage 3 CKD has two parts: Stage 3a and Stage 3b. Stage 3a kidneys filter waste at a rate of 45-59. Stage 3b kidneys filter at a rate of 30-44. Doctors use these to see how bad kidney damage is and plan treatment.
GFR shows how fast kidneys filter waste from blood. It’s measured through blood tests. A low GFR means kidneys are not working well, which helps doctors diagnose and treat kidney disease.
Stage 4 CKD means kidneys are failing badly, with a GFR of 15-29. Symptoms include tiredness, swelling, and trouble breathing. At this point, getting ready for dialysis or a kidney transplant is key.
The KDIGO system is a way to classify CKD. It looks at GFR and albuminuria levels. It helps doctors understand how severe CKD is and decide on treatments.
Signs that need quick doctor visits include extreme tiredness, leg swelling, shortness of breath, and changes in how you pee. People with diabetes or high blood pressure should watch out closely.
To slow CKD, manage diabetes and high blood pressure well. Eat healthy, exercise, and follow your treatment plan. Regular doctor visits are also key.
ESRD treatments are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis filters blood, and a transplant uses a new kidney. The choice depends on your health and what you prefer.
Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease – https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/prevention
