Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is defined as abnormalities of kidney structure and/or function that have implications for long-term health. These abnormalities must be present for greater than three months to be classified as CKD (KDIGO, 2013).
The clinical presentation of CKD is quite heterogeneous, reflecting its cause, severity, and progression, rather than a well-defined disease state (KDIGO, 2013). Its progression results in decreased renal function, with the potential development of various health complications, including end-stage kidney failure.
CKD is often asymptomatic, even in the presence of moderate decreases in kidney function. Routine laboratory monitoring is the best tool clinicians possess to diagnose and monitor this disease.
