Facts
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing their job.
Undiagnosed CKD can lead to:
- collection of water in legs or in lungs
- organ damage
- weak bones
- digestive tract disorders
- heart rhythm disturbances
- high blood pressure
- anemia
- premature death
When kidney disease progresses it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.
Twenty-six million people in the United States have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and millions more are at risk — more than 100,000 people are now developing chronic kidney failure annually. This number has doubled each decade since 1980.
As kidney disease becomes more and more prevalent throughout the United States, it's critical that early detection and treatment also become part of routine baseline testing. The earlier kidney disease is detected, the better the chance of slowing or stopping its progression. Of the 90,000 people awaiting organ donation in the United States, two-thirds need a new kidney.
Kidney Score is the best way to measure the level of kidney function and determine stages of kidney disease before later stages of CKD occur. It's a simple equation that many labs already provide, and physicians can calculate it using the results of a blood creatinine test, age, race, gender and other factors. Kidney Score is then used to determine how far along a patient is in the five stages of CKD, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Quick facts about CKD
- 26 million Americans have CKD and millions more are at increased risk due to uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
- The Kidney Score is the best estimate of kidney function.
- Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.
- Persistant proteinuria indicates CKD.
- High-risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.
- African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and seniors are at increased risk.