GENERAL ASPECTS AND TRIGGERING FACTORS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY INSUFFICIENCY

Resumen

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease is increasing worldwide. The magnitude of the problem is so high that the medical authorities are con - sidering it a public health problem. In Brazil, most of the attention to chronic kid - ney disease has been limited when the disease reach its dialytic phase. How - ever, the outcome of CKD depends on the quality of care offered long before the occurrence of end-stage renal failure. In this review, the authors draw attention to the need of early diagnosis of the disease, the importance to immediate refer - ral for nephrological care, and the need of identification and correction of the main complications and comorbidities found. Finally, they discuss the role of the multidisciplinary attention to patients with CKD, and its possible favorable impact on the outcome of the disease.