Understanding Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Stages

Stage 4 and Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are characterized by significantly reduced glomerular filtration rates (GFR), with Stage 4 being defined as a GFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m² and Stage 5 as less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m². These advanced stages pose a heightened risk for both cardiovascular diseases and progression to kidney failure, making effective management crucial. Despite the benefits of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) in delaying CKD progression, there is considerable hesitance among healthcare providers to prescribe these medications due to concerns over potential side effects, particularly acute kidney injury and hyperkalemia. Understanding these stages and associated risks is vital for clinicians to make informed treatment decisions that can significantly impact patient outcomes.