Authors: Bosiljka Devcic, Vesna Babic, Anamarija Rundic, Mihaela Hoti, Marina Colic, Jelena Simic, Daniel Victor Simac, Bozidar Vujicic, Sanjin Racki.
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has reached epidemic levels, where 10 to 12 % of the population, and 50 % of the elderly, show signs of kidney dysfunction. Today, the stages of disease progression to dialysis are recognised, and the risk factors and conditions associated with kidney can be managed, including anaemia, malnutrition, bone disease, which affect morbidity and mortality. Treatment is extensive, and requires proactive prevention along with reducing cardiovascular risk. Timely referral of patients with CKD allows enough time for the adequate preparation of these patients for replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or transplantation. Patient education prior to dialysis, and health literacy, results in a series of key advantages for patients, including: Postponing initiation of dialysis, reducing morbidity and mortality, improving management of kidney disease complications, prepares patients for starting dialysis, and significantly improves quality of life for this group of patients.
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