[Chronic renal failure: management suggestions based on scientific evidence]

Chronic renal failure whatever its etiology is a progressive disease, associated with important morbidity and mortality. Most patients will require renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or transplantation). An early follow up by nephrologists, an optimal control of hypertension and of the glomerular hyperfiltration syndrome, might allow slowing the rate of evolution of nephropathies. At least, this approach allows to delay complications of renal failure and to improve the patient survival. Guidelines based on scientific studies are presently available to approach the treatment of chronic renal failure.