Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease that can eventually lead to kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Worldwide, nearly 700 million people are affected by CKD, with likely many more still being undiagnosed. The main causes of CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure, and glomerulonephritis.
CKD patients may face physical and emotional difficulties on a daily basis. The progressive nature of CKD alongside the knowledge that no cure exists can often be a challenging journey for both patients and their loved ones.
Early diagnosis and intervention have been shown to slow progression of CKD and improve patient outcomes – but with typically no symptoms in the early stages, patients may not realize they have the disease until it has advanced. In these later stages, patients face the risk of developing other complications and dialysis possibly looming on the horizon.
To assist in conversations about the progression of CKD, notably the drivers of disease and opportunities for earlier diagnosis and intervention, a digital brochure is available from AstraZeneca, one of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Partners in Health.
The brochure is provided by AstraZeneca Medical Information.