CKD is a significant public health challenge that, if untreated, can lead to kidney failure. This occurs over a period of months or years. Symptoms of CKD include fatigue, loss of appetite,feeling generally unwell, decreased urine output, swelling in legs, dry or itchy skin, though early stages of CKD often have no symptoms at all. Key risk factors for CKD include diabetes, hypertension and unhealthy lifestyles. It can be diagnosed by a blood test called  creatinine (a breakdown product of muscle metabolism). The higher the creatinine values, the lower glomerular filtration rate. There are five stages of CKD according to international standards, based on glomerular filtration rate and protein level in urine. Screening is important because treatments do exist, that delay CKD.

The important symptoms are: