In simple words: Stage 1 chronic kidney disease means your kidneys are filtering blood almost normally, but tests show signs of kidney damage, like protein in your urine or physical changes to your kidneys.

Chronic kidney disease, stage 1 is characterized by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 90 or above, indicating normal or near-normal kidney function.Despite this, there may be structural abnormalities in the kidneys, unusual findings in urine tests, or genetic traits suggesting kidney disease.

Example 1: A patient with type 2 diabetes undergoes routine blood work and urinalysis. The GFR is 95 ml/min, but the urinalysis reveals microalbuminuria. An ultrasound may be performed to assess kidney structure. The patient is diagnosed with stage 1 CKD and advised on lifestyle changes to manage diabetes and protect kidney function., A patient with a family history of polycystic kidney disease undergoes genetic testing, confirming the diagnosis. Their GFR is normal. They are diagnosed with stage 1 CKD and monitored regularly for disease progression., A patient with long-standing hypertension has normal blood tests but an incidental finding of small kidneys on an abdominal CT scan. They receive a diagnosis of stage 1 CKD, and hypertension management is intensified to preserve kidney health.

Documentation should include evidence of kidney damage (e.g., proteinuria, abnormal imaging, biopsy findings) or genetic markers of kidney disease despite normal GFR.Associated conditions (diabetes, hypertension) should also be documented.