Summary
Patients with CKD present several complex management issues to health care providers. The staging system introduced in 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation is a significant accomplishment, which stratifies patients according to disease severity. In addition, the K/DOQI guidelines are an excellent tool for management of CKD and dialysis patients and recommend treatments according to disease stage. These interventions may reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients. With early identification and treatment of anemia, renal osteodystrophy, uremic malnutrition, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease, primary care physicians and nephrologists together are making significant strides toward extending and improving the lives of patients with chronic renal disease. Table 1 briefly summarizes current treatment and preventive measures.