Chronic kidney disease

Abstract

It is known that, for many reasons, general practitioners
(GPs) find renal disease difficult to diagnose, understand
and treat. The terms chronic kidney disease (CKD) and
glomerular filtration rate (GFR), representing the renal
function equation, have been introduced to clarify some
of these difficulties. Unfortunately, even these pivotal concepts remain
either unknown or poorly understood by the majority of GPs in South
Africa (SA). CKD is often not recognised because there are no specific
symptoms, and not diagnosed or only diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Tests for CKD are, however, simple and freely available.