Overview
Clinical Meaning
Chronic kidney disease is defined as kidney damage (albuminuria, structural abnormalities) or GFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² persisting for ≥3 months.
Chronic kidney disease is defined as kidney damage (albuminuria, structural abnormalities) or GFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² persisting for ≥3 months. The CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) equation is preferred for eGFR calculation, using serum creatinine, age, sex, and (previously) race. KDIGO staging combines GFR categories (G1: ≥90, G2: 60-89, G3a: 45-59, G3b: 30-44, G4: 15-29, G5: <15) with albuminuria categories (A1: <30 mg/g, A2: 30-300 mg/g, A3: >300 mg/g) to create a risk matrix for progression. Albuminuria is the most sensitive early marker of diabetic nephropathy and an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Two abnormal values ≥3 months apart confirm the diagnosis and exclude acute kidney injury.
