Renal insufficiency, also called renal failure, is when your kidneys no longer have enough kidney function to maintain a normal state of health. Note that the term renal failure is beginning to be replaced by renal insufficiency when in the context of chronic kidney disease. There are two kinds.
Acute renal failure (ARF) : - This is kidney failure that happens rather suddenly, where something has caused the kidneys to shutdown. This may be due to infection, drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, recreational), traumatic injury, major surgery, nephrotoxic poisons, etc. Emergency dialysis may be needed until the situation resolves and the kidneys begin functioning again (this might take a short time, or months, or it might be permanent).
While more acute episodes are possible in the case of IgAN (we often refer to them as "flare-ups"), IgA nephropathy is a condition that mainly causes chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), not usually acute renal failure (ARF). However, some people may experience spontaneously-reversing acute renal failure as well. The latter are cases where serum creatinine goes up dramatically but later returns to a more normal baseline. In such cases, dialysis may be needed until the condition improves. ARF in the context of IgAN is usually more associated with the person developing a flare-up of HSP.
Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) : - This is when a disease such as IgA nephropathy slowly and gradually destroys the filtering capacity of the kidneys. It is sometimes referred to as progressive renal insufficiency, chronic kidney disease or chronic renal failure (CRF). This kind of damage cannot currently be repaired, and as such, it is irreversible. A person may have chronic renal failure for many years, even decades, before dialysis or a kidney transplant become necessary.
Chronic renal insufficiency does not, by itself, mean complete shutdown of the kidneys, and a person with chronic renal insufficiency may still pass urine normally, and may have more than enough kidney function left for normal functioning of the body. Note that you cannot judge the efficiency of your kidneys by the amount of urine you produce. People with quite advanced renal insufficiency, and even people on dialysis may still produce a fair amount of urine. But this does not mean that the kidneys are filtering waste nor regulating serum electrolyte levels efficiently.
Chronic renal insufficiency itself causes more loss of kidney function. One important aspect of kidney disease is that, once a kidney is damaged by it to a certain degree, it continues to deteriorate even if the underlying kidney disease can or could be cured. This is commonly referred to as the point of no return (PNR).What happens is that the chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) continues to progress on its own, scarring of the glomeruli continues, and kidney function continues to gradually decline.
It's possible that controlling blood pressure with an ACE inhibitor like ramipril, or an angiotensin II receptor blocker like Cozaar or Avapro may slow this progression of chronic renal insufficiency. There is also beginning to be some evidence that the class of anti-cholesterol drugs called "statins" (like Lipitor, for example) may help slow progression of CRI. The point of no return is generally considered to be when serum creatinine reaches 2.0 mg/dl in U.S. measurements, or about 175 umol/L in international SI measurement.
End-stage renal disease : - As chronic renal insufficiency continues and progresses, the person may eventually reach the point where it is considered to be end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is the subject of a different section on this website (see main menu).
Stages and Symptoms of Renal Insufficiency
Your nephrologist may use a classification system to describe what stage of chronic kidney disease you are at (such as Stage I, Stage II, etc.). Although these are not universally-used, a common example of this is given below. It is based on clinical practice guidelines on chronic kidney disease published in 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) in the U.S., as part of its Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (K/DOQI).
Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
These guidelines are adapted from the National Kidney Foundation's
Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI)
Stage Description GFR*
Signs of mild kidney disease but with normal or better GFR greater than 90%
Mild kidney disease with reduced GFR 60-89%
Moderate chronic renal insufficiency 30-59%
Severe chronic renal insufficiency 15-29%
End-stage renal failure less than 15%
*GFR is given in ml/min/1.73 m2
More information about GFR
Because there is considerable unpredictability and overlap as to when various symptoms of chronic renal insufficiency might start appearing, rather than limiting ourselves to these specific stages, we will instead look at 3 broad categories as follows. Please note that if you happen to have heavy proteinuria, even if your IgAN is at a very mild stage in terms of chronic renal insufficiency, you may begin to experience symptoms of what is called nephrotic syndrome. These symptoms are due to the heavy loss of protein, and are not strictly-speaking symptoms of "renal failure".
Early chronic renal insufficiency (Stages 1 to 2)
Physical symptoms : - Usually few or no physical symptoms that you can feel (other than those you may experience if you have heavy proteinuria).
Blood work : - Blood work results will show abnormalities - mainly a slightly elevated serum creatinine. Note that there is often a time lag between elevations of serum creatinine, and some progression of the IgAN. By the time serum creatinine is elevated, the person may already have lost 50% of kidney function.
Urinalysis : - Urine will show abnormalities. Urine can be checked by dipstick in the doctor's office (as an initial check), and followed up with a more complete urinalysis. The main urine abnormality that will suggest a kidney disease is the presence of protein and/or blood. Either will usually trigger further investigation. However, blood and/or protein in the urine doesn't say anything about actual kidney function.
Treatment : - Treatment may involve some mild dietary changes (a lower protein diet may in some cases be recommended), and a blood pressure medication may be prescribed (usually of the ACE inhibitor class, the angiotensin II receptor class, or both, even if blood pressure is not really elevated much).
Blood pressure : - Some people start having high blood pressure even in early chronic renal failure. IgAN is one kidney disease that can do this.
Anemia : - Anemia may rarely occur at this stage. In this case, it is most often caused by having heavy proteinuria rather than actual chronic renal insufficiency.
Advanced chronic renal insufficiency (Stages 3 to 4)
Physical symptoms
You may still feel completely normal at this stage, or you may begin to experience one or more of the following symptoms : -
Serum creatinine : - Serum creatinine will be higher (indicating less than 30% kidney function)
Tiredness or fatigue
Puffiness or swelling (obvious in the hands or feet and ankles, but the puffiness will often first be seen around the eyes).
Back pain : - Usually felt as a dull ache anywhere in the mid-to-lower portion of the back, on one side or the other - this is sometimes referred to as flank pain, or loin pain)
Appetite : - Changes in appetite or eating pattern. Foods may start tasting "funny".
Urine : - Changes in urination (amount, colour, frequency). Urine may in fact look exceptionally clear at this point, rather than abnormal. This is because little is actually being filtered into it by your kidneys. Previously high proteinuria and/or hematuria may actually improve.
Blood pressure : - High blood pressure (also referred to as hypertension)
Digestion : - Poor digestion (varying degrees of gastroparesis, which means that digestion is slowed).
Treatment
Diet : - Dietary changes may be ordered (renal diet: low protein, low potassium, low phosphorus, low sodium, higher calorie)
Medication
High blood pressure medications : - It's common to need more than one at this stage, and often 3 or more.
Other drugs/supplements : - May be prescribed if needed, such as vitamin D analog (calcitriol is a common one), renal vitamins (not a regular multi-vitamin, as these contain too much vitamin A for the typical advanced renal insufficiency patient). Drugs for controlling heavy proteinuria if necessary (note that heavier proteinuria does not automatically follow with more advanced chronic renal insufficiency).
Phosphorus binder : - You may be asked to begin taking a calcium supplement with meals as a phosphorus binder (or a medication may be prescribed instead of or in addition to calcium).
End-stage renal failure (or late chronic renal insufficiency)
The terms end-stage renal failure and end-stage renal disease are used interchangeably, and the abbreviation ESRD is commonly used. Typically, patients will have kidney function in the area of 10-15% or so. These are the common symptoms you may experience at this stage (and some people may start experiencing some of these earlier) : -
Symptoms
anemia (may begin earlier than this)
easy bleeding and bruising
headache
fatigue and drowsy feeling (more than normal or usual for you)
weakness
mental symptoms such as lowered mental alertness, trouble concentrating, confusion, seizures
nausea, vomiting, and generally less desire to eat
thirst
muscle cramps, muscle twitching
nocturia (night-time urination)
numb sensation in the extremities
diarrhea
itchy skin, itchy eyes
skin colour changes (grayish complexion, sometimes yellowish-brownish tone)
swelling and puffiness (more than you had while in advanced renal failure, and most likely in the feet and/or ankles)
difficulty breathing (due to fluid in the lungs, anemia)
high blood pressure (with IgAN, you may already have had this since the early stages)
decreased sexual interest
changes in menstrual cycle (and difficulty getting pregnant)
decreased urine output (however, you should be aware that some people with ESRD will continue to get rid of water as urine, but not wastes - therefore, the urine may be very clear and normal-looking, and some may have increased urine output rather than decreased).
poor digestion (varying degrees of gastroparesis).
Treatment
The exact time that dialysis starts will vary slightly depending on various factors. Consult your nephrologist.
Dialysis
Kidney transplant
What happens when you approach ESRD?
It is at this stage that you are on the threshold of needing renal replacement therapy (any form of dialysis, or a kidney transplant). When this actually happens will depend on your symptoms and lab results, but it will occur as you get close to 10% kidney function (by which time the special renal diet and medications will no longer be enough to keep you healthy). You will be considered to be approaching ESRD when you are under 30% kidney function (as measured by Glomerular Filtration Rate), and more actively as you approach 20% kidney function.
Sequence of events when you approach ESRD
Some localities, such as many major urban centers, may have a very complete "system" that patients come under or have access to as they approach or reach ESRD. Other areas might not. The sequence of events given below is typical, but it's possible that some of the items listed might not be available where you live, or your nephrologist may vary it slightly. It is provided as a guide, so that you will know what to expect, and what to discuss with your nephrologist.
35 to 30% kidney function (or thereabouts)
Refer for Renal Replacement Therapy classes, also referred to as pre-dialysis classes. This is where patients should be introduced to the concept of the renal diet, and have the renal replacement options explained to them, ie. hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant. This allows patients to make an informed choice of treatment method when the time comes, in consultation with their nephrologist and family. In some areas, handouts may be used in place of actual classes. Classes are usually about 6 to 8 hours spread over a couple of days on alternate weeks, or during evenings. Around this time, you will probably also be told to start taking calcium with meals as a phosphorus binder, if you haven't already (don't do this on your own).
30 to 25% kidney function (or thereabouts)
Choose dialysis method. Sometime during this timeframe, your nephrologist will want you to choose a dialysis method, so that the dialysis access to your body can be arranged. He or she may also ask if you have any potential kidney donors.
Arterio-veinous fistula (for hemodialysis). Called AV fistula for short, or just fistula. This is considered the best way of performing hemodialysis. A fistula is really just a vein near the surface of your lower or upper arm, that has been connected to an artery by a vascular surgeon. It requires surgery in your arm (usually in your non-dominant arm, in a day surgery setting). Because a fistula needs time to develop and to be exercised before it can be used, fistula surgery should usually be scheduled a good 6 months before the date dialysis is expected to be needed. It's not too early to have it done a year before expected dialysis. That way, if you have to start dialysis earlier than expected (as often happens), your fistula will be ready for use by the time you need it, and you won't have to start dialysis via a catheter inserted in your chest. If it turns out you don't need to start dialysis that soon, it doesn't hurt to have that fistula ready and waiting.
Graft or shunt (for hemodialysis). This is similar to an AV fistula, but whereas the fistula uses a natural vein in your arm, a graft is an artificial piece of tubing that is implanted in your arm to serve the same purpose. People who choose hemodialysis but who don't have suitable veins for fistula surgery may need to have a graft instead of a fistula. Most IgAN patients are able to develop a fistula. The word shunt is often used, but it is an obsolete term in this context. Some health professionals in dialysis may even refer to a fistula as a shunt.
Abdominal catheter (for peritoneal dialysis). If you choose peritoneal dialysis (PD), a surgeon will have to insert a plastic tube in your abdomen, through which you will perform your dialysate fluid exchanges. This does not need as much lead time as a fistula for hemodialysis, but it's still preferable to have it ready when the time comes, so, like the fistula, ideally, the catheter is inserted during the 6 months to a year preceding the time of expected dialysis. Shortly before you later need to actually start PD, the catheter already inside your abdomen is brought out for use.
Potential kidney donors (for pre-emptive transplant). Some people may want to consider having a kidney transplant when they reach ESRD rather than having to go on dialysis. This is called a pre-emptive transplant. Obviously, this requires having a suitable and pre-qualified donor lined up. As both the patient's pre-evaluation as a potential kidney transplant recipient, and the donor's pre-evaluation as a potential kidney donor can take some time (weeks or months in some cases), this is best performed well-ahead of time (ie. the year leading up to anticipated ESRD). There can be many medical or psychological/social reasons that a potential kidney donor is rejected, and, unfortunately, it's not unheard of for a qualified kidney donor to back out of it very late in the process. Or sometimes, an illness will make it impossible to get the transplant at the time it's needed. For that reason, many nephrologists will suggest that you also choose a method of dialysis just in case it's needed (given the lead time that is required for the access surgery). Therefore, even a patient with a donor all pre-qualified for an expected pre-emptive transplant might still have fistula surgery performed, or a PD catheter inserted.
Kidney transplant waiting list. If you do not plan to have a pre-emptive kidney transplant, it's still a good idea to go through your evaluation as a potential kidney transplant recipient before you start dialysis. That way, you will be on the waiting list and able to receive a kidney if one should come along soon after you start dialysis. Otherwise, you could miss out if your evaluation is only started once you are on dialysis. Some important information about getting listed:
Getting on the waiting list does not happen automatically. Make sure your nephrologist knows you want a transplant, and that however it happens, you do actually get referred to a kidney transplant center. Once this happens, you will need to go through a potential kidney transplant recipient evaluation, which usually includes a complete medical evaluation, medical tests (such as various heart tests), a psychological and/or social worker evaluation, interviews with a transplant nephrologist and a transplant surgeon. This evaluation can easily take a number of months. It usually can be completed before you actually reach the point of needing dialysis.
In Canada, you can be evaluated while you are pre-dialysis, but the exact rules which govern may vary from Province to Province, and from region to region within each province. Using the Province of Ontario as an example, no matter when you complete the evaluation, before or after having started dialysis, your time on the waiting list begins the exact date that you start dialysis, not before (it is retroactive if you completed the evaluation after having started dialysis). If you have a potential live donor, you will be put on hold from the waiting list while that person is being evaluated. This is done because a kidney from a live donor is considered to be superior to one from the waiting list. The reasoning behind starting everyone's time on the waiting list as of the date of first dialysis is that evidence has shown that the longer a person is on dialysis, the more overall health declines. Therefore, it is believed to be more fair to everyone that time on the list begins on the date of first dialysis. Some people may have completed their evaluation before dialysis, some after. Some may have been on hold one or more times because of other illnesses, etc., but nobody is penalized for having had delays in their potential recipient evaluation or for having had other illnesses during the course of dialysis.
In the United States, you can usually be evaluated as a potential kidney transplant recipient within the 2-3 year period before you would be expected to start dialysis. If you have done so, credit for waiting time on the waiting list begins when you have reached 20% kidney function (more precisely, a GFR of less than 20, as per a rule change implemented by UNOS in 1998). Since dialysis is typically started when GFR is about 10%, it is therefore possible to obtain a cadaveric kidney transplant before having actually started dialysis.
15 to 10% kidney function (more or less)
It will vary based on a patient's symptoms, but this is the timeframe when dialysis is started. A person who is diabetic will often be started at 15% kidney function, while most IgAN patients would start at about 10%. It's common practice these days to start dialysis in a planned manner, rather than waiting until it becomes an emergency situation (thankfully!). Most people will either start dialysis or have the pre-emptive kidney transplant done when or slightly before they reach 10% kidney function. Some people may reach 10% without experiencing any major symptoms, but, generally, dialysis will be started at this point, if not slightly before, in a planned fashion, even if the patient doesn't feel any significant symptoms. Since there is still about 10% kidney function at this point, it may be possible to continue quite some time without dialysis, but starting dialysis early increases chances of an easier transition, and it allows time to initiate dialysis in a way that minimizes stress on the body.
Contrary to popular misconception, there is no advantage to being able to delay dialysis even if no symptoms of renal failure are felt once kidney function (glomerular flitration rate) reaches about 10%, and there may in fact be significant disadvantages for the patient in terms of mortality and morbidity.
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