UK Consensus Conference on Early Chronic Kidney Disease 6 and 7 February 2007

Detection of adults with early chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important because some will progress to end-stage kidney disease and most are at higher risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Early identification provides the greatest opportunity to modify the course of disease and the associated cardiovascular risk. An international classification of CKD has identified five stages. Early CKD is described as stages 1–3. Stages 1 and 2 are characterized by structural abnormalities, presence of persistent proteinuria or albuminuria or haematuria. Stage 3 is characterized by impaired kidney function, as defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of between 30 and 59 ml/min/1.73 m 2 on at least two occasions at a minimal interval of 3 months. Using this definition, it is estimated that as many as 10% of the UK adult population have early CKD, of whom half will have stage 3. This increases with age to approximately 20% over 65 years and more than 30% over 80 years.