Defining Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary Care: Management, Complications, Risk, Referral

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), estimated at more than 10% of the general population, is greater than the availability of nephrology specialists. For many patients, care is provided by primary care physicians (PCPs).

CKD care presents a number of challenges, but guidance geared to primary care physicians is offered by the National Kidney Disease Education Program, the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative, and the Journal of Family Practice.

Click through the slides below for a brief overview of basics drawn from these resources.