Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
ICD-10 N18
- ~0M
- US adults with CKD
- ~0%
- of those undiagnosed early-stage
- eGFR <0
- for ≥3 months = CKD
- 06
- Ozempic FDA CKD indication (FLOW trial)
What is chronic kidney disease (ckd)?
Chronic kidney disease is progressive loss of kidney function over months to years. Classified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) into 5 stages: G1 (normal eGFR ≥90 with structural damage) through G5 (eGFR <15, kidney failure). Diabetes and hypertension drive the majority of US CKD.
What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease (ckd)?
- Early CKD is typically asymptomatic — found on lab screening, not symptoms
- Foamy urine (proteinuria) — most common early sign when present
- Swelling of ankles, feet, hands (fluid retention)
- Fatigue, reduced concentration, sleep disturbance (uremic symptoms in advanced disease)
- Decreased appetite, nausea (advanced stages)
- Itching (uremic pruritus, late stages)
Who is at risk for chronic kidney disease (ckd)?
- Type 2 diabetes (single largest US driver)
- Hypertension (second largest)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Family history of kidney failure
- Age ≥60
- Black, Hispanic, American Indian ancestry (higher US prevalence)
- Frequent NSAID use, lithium, certain antibiotics
- Recurrent kidney stones or urinary tract obstruction
How is chronic kidney disease (ckd) diagnosed?
eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² for 3+ months, or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. Staging combines eGFR (G1-G5) with albuminuria (A1-A3) per KDIGO 2024 guidelines. Annual screening recommended in patients with diabetes, hypertension, family history of kidney disease, or age ≥60.
How is chronic kidney disease (ckd) treated?
Aggressive blood pressure and glucose control. RAS blockade (ACE inhibitor or ARB) for albuminuria. SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) shown to slow CKD progression independent of diabetes status. Finerenone for CKD in T2D. Semaglutide (Ozempic) gained CKD indication in 2026 based on the FLOW trial. Renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplant) for kidney failure.
Medications used for chronic kidney disease (ckd)
Authority reference: www.kidney.org
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Related topics
Sources
Primary sources cited above. FDA labeling, peer-reviewed trials, and specialty-society guidelines only.
- Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (FLOW) · New England Journal of Medicine, 2024 · PMID 38785209
- KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of CKD · Kidney International, 2024
- Dapagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) · New England Journal of Medicine, 2020 · PMID 32970396
People also ask
Can chronic kidney disease be reversed?
CKD is generally progressive but treatment slows or stops progression in most patients. Early-stage CKD (G1-G2 with mild albuminuria) can sometimes stabilize or improve with aggressive risk-factor management. Late-stage CKD (G4-G5) typically progresses to kidney failure without intervention.
Is Ozempic actually approved for kidney disease?
Yes. The FLOW trial showed semaglutide reduced the composite of major kidney events, kidney death, and cardiovascular death by 24% in patients with CKD and T2D. The FDA added a CKD indication to Ozempic's label in 2026. Same molecule as Wegovy but the CKD indication is on the Ozempic (T2D) label, not Wegovy (obesity).
Why do my doctors check my eGFR every visit?
eGFR is the headline measure of overall kidney function. Sustained decline of ≥30% indicates progression that warrants intervention. The trend matters more than any single value — annual monitoring at minimum, more frequent if you're on medications cleared by the kidneys or have diabetes/hypertension.
Can I take metformin if I have CKD?
Metformin is generally safe down to eGFR 30 mL/min/1.73m². Below that the lactic acidosis risk rises and metformin should be discontinued. Many patients with mild-moderate CKD continue metformin appropriately; this is a per-patient decision based on the specific eGFR and trend.