1. What is the relationship between the decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and cardiovascular disease? Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a substantial increase in risk for death from cardiovascular disease. Even small decreases in kidney function, as…
1. What is chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD)? CKD-MBD is a systemic disorder of mineral and bone metabolism resulting from CKD that may be manifested by either one or a combination of the following: Laboratory abnormalities associated with…
1. What causes anemia in patients with kidney disease? The anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is primarily caused by deficiency of erythropoietin (EPO). The kidneys are the major source of EPO, and as kidney function declines, production of EPO…
1. What is the definition of chronic kidney disease (CKD)? CKD is defined as the presence of kidney damage or decreased kidney function (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 ) for 3 or…
1. How common are kidney stones? In industrialized countries, approximately 12% of men and 7% of women will form at least one kidney stone in their life, and the prevalence of nephrolithiasis is increasing. Historically men were much more likely…
1. What is obstructive uropathy? Obstructive uropathy is structural or functional interference of normal urine flow anywhere along the urinary tract. Obstructive uropathy can be acute or chronic, partial, or complete, and unilateral or bilateral. 2. What is obstructive nephropathy?…
1. What is nephrotic syndrome? Nephrotic syndrome is one of the most rigidly defined entities in clinical medicine. The term is not a specific diagnosis, but instead represents a cluster of abnormal findings. Specifically, it is comprised of four distinct…
1. What is the syndrome of acute glomerulonephritis? Acute glomerulonephritis is an acute kidney injury (AKI) syndrome characterized by the sudden onset of edema and new-onset or worsening hypertension. Urinalysis demonstrates an active sediment, including abnormal proteinuria (usually >30 mg/dL…
1. What is contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), and how does it occur? Iodinated contrast media can lead to a usually reversible form of non-oliguric acute kidney injury (AKI) that occurs typically 24 to 48 hours after intravenous (IV) or intra-arterial administration…
1. What is rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis is a condition characterized by muscle injury leading to myocyte necrosis and the release of intracellular contents into the circulation. The term is usually applied when acute kidney injury (AKI) results from the muscle injury,…