Chronic kidney disease

Abstract

It is known that, for many reasons, general practitioners (GPs) find renal disease difficult to diagnose, understand and treat. The terms chronic kidney disease (CKD) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), representing the renal function equation, have been introduced to clarify some of these difficulties. Unfortunately, even these pivotal concepts remain either unknown or poorly understood by the majority of GPs in South Africa (SA). CKD is often not recognised because there are no specific symptoms, and not diagnosed or only diagnosed at an advanced stage. Tests for CKD are, however, simple and freely available.