Glossary

Acute renal failure (ARF)

Sudden loss of kidney function caused by injury or illness, often reversible.

Calcification

The hardening of tissues and blood vessels due to excess deposits of calcium. In kidney disease, it may result from the failure of the kidneys to regulate calcium levels. Vascular calcification, in which blood vessels become damaged, contributes to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular

Relating to the heart and blood vessels.

Cardiovascular disease

A group of medical conditions relating to the heart and blood vessels. It is the most common cause of death and includes stroke and heart disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Progressive loss of kidney function over several years, often resulting in permanent kidney failure. People with permanent kidney failure need dialysis or transplantation to replace the work done by the kidneys.

Creatinine

A waste product from meat protein in the diet and from the muscles of the body. Creatinine is removed from blood by the kidneys; as kidney disease progresses, the level of creatinine in the blood increases. The level of creatinine in the blood (serum or plasma) is commonly used to assess kidney function.

Creatinine clearance

A test that measures how efficiently the kidneys remove creatinine and other waste from the blood. Low creatinine clearance indicates impaired kidney function.

Diabetic nephropathy

Damage to the kidneys found in diabetes.

Dialysis

A treatment that removes waste products and excess water from blood artificially. It is used when a person's kidneys no longer function adequately. The two main forms of dialysis are haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Total and permanent kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build up. A person with ESRD needs dialysis to replace the work of the failed kidneys.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

The flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney. It is an accurate test of kidney function and reflects the percentage of normal filtration function remaining in the kidney.

Haemodialysis (HD)

A blood purifying treatment in which the blood is circulated from a person's vein through a machine that draws out waste products by diffusion and excess water through a filter. In ESRD, this normally takes three or four hours, and may be done three-six days a week.

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT)

Persistently excessive production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). In CKD, blood calcium levels tend to fall below normal and PTH is secreted to restore it by drawing calcium from the bones.

Hyperphosphataemia

Abnormally elevated level of phosphate in the blood. When kidneys fail, phosphate builds up in the blood. Normal phosphate levels in the blood are 0.8 to 1.4 mmol/L (2.7-4.6 mg/dL). In kidney patients phosphate levels can exceed 2.0 mmol/L (6.2 mg/dL). Hyperphosphataemia has been associated with higher rates of mortality in CKD patients.

Hypertension

High blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the causes of CKD.

Hypocalcaemia

Low serum calcium levels in the blood, often due to the accumulation of phosphate and calcium in the tissues.

Incidence

The number of people in a population who develop a given condition; for kidney disease, usually the number in one year (annual incidence). For treatment, the number of new cases (see also prevalence).

Kidney

One of two bean-shaped organs that filter wastes from the blood and regulate fluid levels. The kidneys are located near the middle of the back. They create urine, which is delivered to the bladder through tubes called ureters.

Metabolic acidosis

An increased production of metabolic acids, usually resulting from disturbances in the ability to excrete acid via the kidneys.

Morbidity

The state of being ill or diseased.

Mortality

Susceptibility to death. For CKD, all cause mortality (overall death rate) increases as kidney function decreases.

Mortality rate

A measure of the number of deaths in a given population.

Parathyroid glands (PTG)

Glands situated close to the thyroid glands. They secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) and are chiefly concerned with the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus (see also hyperparathyroidism).

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Also called parathormone, it is secreted by the parathyroid glands and acts to regulate the concentration of calcium in the blood.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)

A form of dialysis in which dialysis fluid is introduced into the peritoneal cavity in the patient's abdomen, where it draws waste products and excess water out of the blood using the peritoneal membrane as a filter. The fluid may be exchanged four or five times per day, or a machine may be used to carry out several fluid exchanges, usually overnight.

Phosphate binders

A type of medication used to reduce the absorption of phosphate by the body and usually taken with meals and snacks. They are typically used by people with CKD who cannot get rid of the phosphate that gets into their blood (i.e. the serum phosphate is typically elevated).

Phosphorus

A mineral that plays a key part in building strong bones and keeps your body in good health. High phosphorus levels in the blood may cause mineral deposits in the tissues of the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, joints and skin, bone disease and even heart disease or death.

Prevalence

The number of people in a population who have a given condition; for kidney disease usually measured at a point in time (point prevalence). For treatment, the number of new + existing cases (see also Incidence).

Proteinuria

Excessive amounts of protein being excreted in the urine. Commonly caused by kidney disease.

Renal replacement therapy (RRT)

Treatment to augment or replace the function of failing kidneys, either by dialysis (peritoneal or haemodialysis) or transplantation.

Serum creatinine

The level of creatinine in the blood.

Serum phosphorus

The level of phosphate in the blood.

Serum potassium

The level of potassium in the blood. Too high or low a level can cause a disturbance in the rhythm of the heart.

Serum urea

The level of urea waste product from normal metabolic function in the blood.

Sevelamer

The active ingredient of Renvela. A non-calcium, non-metallic phosphate binding drug used to prevent hyperphosphataemia in CKD patients. When taken with meals, sevelamer binds to dietary phosphate and prevents its absorption, thereby maintaining phosphate levels in the body.

Uraemia

Excessive amounts of urea in the blood, which may be a sign of kidney disease or failure.