A Narrative Review of Chronic Kidney Disease in Clinical Practice: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease which affects approximately 13% of the world's population. Over time, CKD can cause renal dysfunction and progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Complications associated with CKD may contribute to the acceleration of disease progression and the risk of cardiovascular-related morbidities. Early CKD is asymptomatic, and symptoms only present at later stages when complications of the disease arise, such as a decline in kidney function and the presence of other comorbidities associated with the disease. In advanced stages of the disease, when kidney function is significantly impaired, patients can only be treated with dialysis or a transplant. With limited treatment options available, an increasing prevalence of both the elderly population and comorbidities associated with the disease, the prevalence of CKD is set to rise. This review discusses the current challenges and the unmet patient need in CKD.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Chronic kidney disease; Diabetic kidney disease; Sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.

Fig. 1

A schematic diagram showing the association between CKD progression and clinical and economic burden. Symptoms of CKD typically present during advanced stages of the disease where patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities