The most important task of the nephrologist in treating patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
The question:
Nowadays which one of the following statements describes more precisely the task of the nephrologist who is treating patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
- To reverse CKD progression
- To stop CKD progression
- To slow CKD progression
- To allow CKD progression
- To accelerate CKD progression
The correct answer: To allow CKD progression
Nothing new. Before 2005 the classical teaching was that the best the nephrologist can do for CKD patients is to slow the progression. After 2005 depending on important study it was found that more patients in each of the 5 stages of CKD die in this stage than those who progress to the next stage due to pre mature CV mortality, so the best the nephrologist can offer nowadays is to prevent this early CV death by targeting risk factors as early as possible hence patients will survive and progression to the next CKD stage is allowed.
The evidence:
