Multifactorial chronic kidney disease and the kidney capacity–workload balance
摘要
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by the presence of kidney abnormalities with an impact on health that lasts more than 3 months. Cross-sectional population data suggest that ~10% of the world population might be affected. CKD is often classified by aetiology, under the assumption that a single cause drives disease, and identifying the single cause that drives kidney disease in a patient is a key nephrology expertise taught at medical schools. Here, we explore the concept that, throughout the life-course, the kidneys are exposed to numerous insults and risk factors that can trigger CKD development and reduce kidney lifespan. Although a single cause might be dominant in some individuals, CKD frequently results from exposure to several serial insults or multiple concomitant factors; hence, CKD is typically multifactorial. The concept of multifactorial CKD not only better matches the clinical reality but also has numerous clinical implications, including for diagnostic work-up and kidney-disease nomenclature, as well as therapeutic choices (for example, the choice between cause-directed therapies versus lifestyle changes and CKD combination therapies). In addition, the risk factor-based concept of multifactorial CKD provides a strong rationale for risk factor control to maintain kidney health.