Chronic Kidney Disease Follow-up

General Medicine

eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² ≥3 months or ACR ≥3 mg/mmol; staged 1–5.

History taking

  • Onset, duration, progression, severity
  • Aggravating / relieving factors
  • Past history, drugs, allergies, comorbidities
  • Family & social history relevant to presentation

Examination

  • General: vitals, pallor, icterus, oedema, lymphadenopathy
  • Focused system examination
  • Look for red-flag findings

Red flags

  • Haemodynamic instability
  • Rapid deterioration
  • Severe pain or new neurological deficit

Differential diagnosis

  • See differentials section per chief complaint

Recommended investigations

  • eGFR, ACR, U&E, bicarbonate, Ca, PO4, PTH (G3b+), Hb, vitamin D

Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis supported by targeted investigations

Initial treatment / management

  • BP <130/80 (lower if proteinuric)
  • ACEi/ARB if ACR >30
  • SGLT2i (dapagliflozin 10 mg) reduces progression
  • Statin

Follow-up advice

  • Review in 2–4 weeks or earlier if worsening
  • Monitor response to therapy and adverse effects

Patient counselling

  • Avoid NSAIDs / nephrotoxins
  • Sick-day rules
  • Vaccinate (flu, pneumococcal, HBV)

Referral criteria

  • Nephrology if eGFR <30, ACR >70, rapid decline, refractory HTN

References

  • Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e
  • NICE / WHO guidelines (current edition)

Educational outpatient guide — verify against local guidelines before clinical use.

WardRound

WardRound

Clinical Decisions in Seconds