[Social and health impact of advanced chronic kidney disease].

The prevalence of CKD in Spain is 11%, with a high rate of associated vascular risk factors and a progressive increase in the number of patients requiring kidney replacement therapy, estimated at 5-8% annually. This has made CKD one of the leading health, social and economic problems for the health care systems of all developed countries. Kidney replacement therapy, although adequate, is not optimal for solving this clinical problem. The key aspects of the problem are: The increase in the number of patients with CKD due to: Early vascular injury as a result of the inflammatory process associated with CKD. Aging of the population, although CKD may be more dependent on comorbidities than age "per se", and prevalence may therefore not have the expected increase. The epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus. CKD is the major vascular risk factor both in the general and hypertensive population or patients with established vascular injury. The estimated cost of care of stage 1-4 CKD per year can be 1.6-2.4 times more than kidney replacement therapy. The approach to this serious social and health problem is based on: Early detection and diagnosis of CKD by estimation of glomerular filtration rate and assessment of associated risk factors. Establishment of treatment goals for control of cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus,) and albuminuria to reduce the rate of progression of kidney disease. Joint approach to problem by primary care physicians and other specialists caring for patients at high cardiovascular risk. Establishment of criteria for referral to nephrology departments.