Chronic Kidney Disease in the Elderly

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly being recognized as a disease of elderly individuals. In recent years the definition and categorization of kidney disease has been standardized. There are concerns that this standardization has led to an increase in the number of older individuals labeled as having CKD. This article addresses the definitions of CKD, recently published revised CKD stages with risk stratifications, and limitations of using formulas to assess renal function in the elderly. Also discussed are management of common risk factors of progression CKD, nonrenal-related outcomes, prognosis of CKD in older individuals, and criteria for referral to nephrology.