[Chronic kidney disease in the general practitioner's office]. / Chronische Niereninsuffizienz in der Hausarztpraxis.

ABSTRACT

People suffer increasingly from arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. These two diseases represent the most frequent causes leading to chronic kidney disease. The assessment of renal function by means of formulas serves as a basis for further decision making regarding the management of patients with chronic kidney disease. On one hand, the therapy focuses on the treatment of the underlying illness as well as possible, acute and reversible causes of renal dysfunction. On the other hand, the therapy includes measures to decelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease (nephroprotection) and to correct its associated complications (renal hypertension, renal anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism). If these therapeutic measures are applied timely (ideally as of CKD stage 3 with glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min) and in close collaboration with a nephrologist, end stage renal disease can be delayed by several years.