Systemic complications of chronic kidney disease

The kidney plays a critical role in the maintenance of homeostasis. As kidney function diminishes, excretory, regulatory, and endocrine function is lost, and complications develop in essentially every organ system. Kidney failure is the last stage in the continuum of progressive CKD. Management of the complications associated with CKD mainly includes dietary counseling, adequate control of volume and blood pressure, and use of phosphate binders, calcitriol (Calcijex, Rocaltrol), and erythropoietin. Many of these complications can be prevented or attenuated with optimal CKD care, which involves early detection of progressive kidney disease, interventions to retard its progression, prevention of uremic complications, attenuation of comorbid conditions, adequate preparation for kidney replacement therapy, and timely initiation of dialysis (figure 2). Closer attention to CKD care is likely to be the key to improved outcomes among patients with kidney failure.