C-K-D: more vascular damage than kidney disease

Abstract

The perceived prevalence of Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the increase worldwide. This has led to considerable debate and controversy as some believe such an increase reflects a genuine increase in the incidence and prevalence of CKD whilst others perceive it to be the result of the ageing of the population with the inherent decline in kidney function associated with advancing age. This review tries to reconcile both views drawing attention to the fact that the age-related decline in kidney function may not be physiological but instead a manifestation of diffuse vascular ageing and atherosclerosis affecting a number of endorgans including the kidneys. Consequently, the so-call age-related chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be better defined as Cardio-Kidney-Damage (C-K-D).