Laboratory investigation of chronic kidney disease

Kidney disease is a common health problem. The early identification of kidney disease is important to prevent and delay the onset of complications as well as the progression of chronic kidney disease. Risk factors and complications should be identified and treated early. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are common causes of chronic kidney disease and need to be identified and treated early. Cardiovascular risk identification and risk reduction are extremely important in patients with renal disease. GFR is a reflection of the number of functioning nephrons and is generally accepted as the best overall measure of renal function. Creatinine-based prediction equations, such as the MDRD equation, can be used to estimate GFR. Proteinuria is an indicator of kidney damage. The early identification of microalbuminuria is important because ACE-inhibitors slow down the progression of albuminuria. The family doctor plays an important role in the early identification of renal disease, as well as in establishing an appropriate action plan, together with the patient, for the management of renal disease.