Renal failure - end stage; Kidney failure - end stage; ESRD
End-stage kidney disease is the complete, or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function. The kidneys can no longer remove wastes, concentrate urine, and regulate electrolytes.
End-stage kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to function at a level that is necessary for day-to-day life. It usually occurs when chronic kidney failure has progressed to the point where kidney function is less than 10% of normal.
The most common cause of ESRD in the U.S. is diabetes. ESRD almost always follows chronic kidney failure. A person may have kidney failure for 10 - 20 years or more before progressing to ESRD.
Tolkoff-Rubin N. Treatment of irreversible renal failure. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 133.
Mitch WE. Chronic kidney disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 131.