This the fifth and final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. It is also called end-stage kidney failure (ESRF) or disease (ESRD).
It occurs when the GFR blood test is under 15 ml/min.
5 Stages of CKD
The diagnosis of CKD is largely based on a classification of its severity, based on GFR (glomerular filtration rate) – the higher the eGFR, the better.
Normal GFR in humans is 90-120 mls/min.
The GFR is calculated from the blood creatinine level (normal range 60-120 mcmol/L) – i.e. the lower the creatinine, the higher is the GFR, the better.
At this point, you need treatment – either dialysis or a kidney transplant (called renal replacement therapy, RRT) – to survive.
Some patients, especially elderly ones, prefer not to have dialysis or a kidney transplant. This is called ‘supportive care’ and is not illogical. They may live longer, and with a better quality of life, without it.
On average people will live 5 years from the start of RRT, 3 years or less with higher risk causes of CKD such as diabetic nephropathy or renovascular disease (RVD).
Patients over 80 years, usually live about 2 years or less.
You will pass away in 2-6 months.
There is no cure for end-stage renal failure. So available treatments are designed to reduce complications and symptoms. Thus, the key to improving long-term outcomes is preventing the progression of CKD.
If ESRF is going to occur, early referral for transplantation is very important.
