What are the stages of chronic renal failure? What are the symptoms?

Chronic renal failure (CRF) refers to chronic progressive renal parenchymal damage caused by various reasons, resulting in obvious kidney atrophy and inability to maintain basic functions. Clinically, it presents clinical syndromes with metabolic product retention, water, electrolyte, acid-base imbalance, and involvement of all body systems. Its symptoms are mainly divided into the following stages.

1. Kidney function compensation period

When the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is ≥ 1/2 of the normal value, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine do not increase, the body's metabolism is balanced, and no symptoms appear (blood creatinine (Scr) is between 133 and 177 μmol/L (2 mg/dl)).

2. Renal insufficiency

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is less than 50% of normal value, serum creatinine (Scr) level rises to above 177μmol/L (2mg/dl), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level rises to >7.0mmol/L (20mg/dl), and the patient has symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, frequent urination at night, and mild anemia.

3. Renal failure stage

When the endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) drops below 20 ml/min, the BUN level is higher than 17.9-21.4 mmol/L (50-60 mg/dl), and the Scr rises to above 442 μmol/L (5 mg/dl), the patient will experience anemia, increased blood phosphorus levels, decreased blood calcium, metabolic acidosis, and water and electrolyte disorders.

4. End-stage uremia

Ccr is below 10ml/min, Scr rises to above 707μmol/L, acidosis is obvious, symptoms of various systems appear, and coma occurs.

Chronic renal failure can also cause adverse effects on the digestive system, blood system, cardiovascular system, neuromuscular system, skin system, endocrine system, etc. in clinical practice.