In simple words: Chronic kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and don't work as well as they should, leading to a buildup of waste in your body.This can happen slowly over time and may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, or other conditions. In severe cases, you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of kidney function over time.It is characterized by a gradual and usually permanent decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to the accumulation of waste products in the blood.Common causes include diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. CKD can progress through five stages, with stage 5 representing end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Example 1: A 60-year-old male with a history of type 2 diabetes presents with elevated creatinine and reduced GFR, consistent with stage 3 CKD.The physician orders further investigations to assess for proteinuria and other complications., A 45-year-old female with hypertension is diagnosed with stage 2 CKD after routine blood tests reveal abnormalities in kidney function. Lifestyle modifications and medication adjustments are implemented to slow disease progression., A 70-year-old male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to diabetic nephropathy requires hemodialysis three times a week.The physician manages his vascular access and monitors for complications related to dialysis.

Medical history, physical examination, laboratory results (including serum creatinine, GFR, electrolytes, and urine analysis), imaging studies (if indicated), and any previous nephrology consultations.

** N18 is a broad category encompassing various stages of CKD.More specific codes within the N18 range (N18.1-N18.6) should be used whenever possible to reflect the specific stage and severity of the disease.It is crucial to carefully document the clinical findings and associated conditions to ensure accurate coding.