Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease: Narrative Review

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with several adverse clinical outcomes, such as cardiovascular events, kidney failure requiring renal replacement therapy, mortality, and poor quality of life for survivors in general. CKD is a slow and progressive loss of kidney function over several years and may ultimately lead to the development of kidney failure. CKD has become a serious public health issue. Although cardiovascular disease, family history of CKD, and certain ethnic and racial backgrounds are important predictors of CKD risk, they do not contribute significantly beyond the scope of diabetes, hypertension, and older age. The number of CKD patients will continue to rise, reflecting the growing elderly population and increasing numbers of patients with diabetes and hypertension. As the number of CKD patients increases, primary care practitioners will be confronted with the management of the complex medical problems unique to patients with chronic renal impairment. As well documented in the literature, the nephrologist rarely manages the medical needs of CKD patients until renal replacement therapy is required. Whereas the symptoms of CKD in diabetes are few, many risk factors and biomarkers can be used to identify individuals at high risk for developing this condition. This article highlights the effect of risk factors and complications associated with chronic kidney disease at its various stages.