Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition affecting ~8-14% of the population, increasing with older age. In its most severe form (where the kidneys function very poorly) life is unsustainable and death is inevitable unless renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the form of dialysis or with a transplanted kidney is undertaken. These have impacts on the quality of patients' and their loved ones lives, and are expensive.
CKD in its less severe forms is associated with other poor outcomes including increased risk of death, cardiovascular disease and complications such as anaemia and bone disease. Earlier identification of CKD is thought to allow the earlier management of the disease process and therefore stop or reduce progression of the disease. However not all patients get worse, and many find very frequent visits to see a kidney specialist difficult.
In Grampian we are researching what factors about patients with CKD might predict those who will do well and those who won't do so well. This is so that the level of care that patients receive could be matched to their likely outcomes and therefore healthcare needs and interventions.