title: The national epidemic of chronic kidney disease. What we know and what we can do.
abstract: The alarming increase in the incidence and mortality rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) over the past several years has prompted concerned physicians to ask why--and to ponder what can be done to ameliorate the situation. This article, the first in a seven-part series coordinated by the National Kidney Foundation, examines the factors surrounding the epidemic of chronic kidney disease and introduces readers to the organization's new clinical practice guidelines developed through its Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. These recommendations emphasize early detection and treatment and offer a new avenue of communication between primary care physicians and nephrologists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eknoyan
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Levey
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Keane
mesh_terms: D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology