CURRENT APPROACHES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: A REVIEW

*Dr. Irfan Ahmad Khan (MBBS, MD), Dr. Mohammad Nasiruddin (MBBS, MD), Prof. Shahzad F. Haque (MBBS, MD, PhD) and Prof. Rahat A. Khan (MBBS, MD)

ABSTRACT

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months to years. The risk factors for CKD include mainly hypertension and diabetes. CKD may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as cardiovascular disease or anemia. It is differentiated from acute kidney disease in that the reduction in kidney function must be present for more than 3 months. Chronic kidney disease causes fluid and waste products retention in the body mainly urea and creatinine and thus leading to uremic syndrome. Treatment of chronic kidney disease consists of dealing promptly with any potentially reversible cause and delaying the progressive deterioration of renal function with conservative measures. As these measures fail, the only effective forms of treatment in ESRD are dialysis and renal transplantation. Unfortunately in many cases the cause of CKD is untreatable and progresses to ESRD despite adequate treatment.

Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, End Stage Renal Disease, Renal transplantation, Maintenance dialysis, Conservative management.