Chronic kidney disease (
CKD), also known as
chronic renal disease, is progressive loss in
kidney function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are not specific, and might include feeling
generally unwell and experiencing a
reduced appetite. Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of
screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with
high blood pressure or
diabetes and those with a blood relative with CKD. This disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as
cardiovascular disease,
anemia, or
pericarditis. It is a long-term form of
kidney disease; thus, it is differentiated from acute kidney disease (
acute kidney injury) in that the reduction in kidney function must be present for over 3 months.