Epidemiology and causes of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed when evidence of kidney damage (reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or proteinuria) has been present for >3 months. It is divided into categories depending on GFR and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR). CKD is common, affecting 13% of the adult population globally; the prevalence rises sharply with age. Recognition of CKD is important because it is associated with multiple adverse outcomes including increased risk of cardiovascular events, acute kidney injury (AKI) and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).