Purpose of review: Incidence of end-stage renal disease has increased dramatically during the last 30 years and screening for early stages of chronic kidney disease is often suggested as a preventive measure. The relationship between chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease is complex, however, and recent studies have given some insights into this relationship. The review will summarize these studies and briefly discuss the clinical implications.
Recent findings: While the prevalence of chronic kidney disease is high in most Western countries, the incidence of end-stage renal disease differs substantially. The general increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease seen in recent years may be partially explained by a lower cardiovascular mortality, allowing more patients with chronic kidney disease to develop end-stage renal disease, and widening of entrance criteria for renal replacement therapy. Data do not, however, support these factors as explanatory for the existing international differences. These differences are better explained by different prevalences of diabetes and obesity as well as by differences in rate of progression from early chronic kidney disease stages to end-stage renal disease. Rate of progression seems to be affected by race, socioeconomic status and predialytic care.
Summary: Several mechanisms influence the relationship between chronic kidney disease and risk of end-stage renal disease. Decreased cardiovascular mortality and improved treatment availability may explain parts of the increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease, and there are also large international differences in rates of progression from chronic kidney disease to end-stage renal disease that may be amendable by public health and predialytic care interventions.