[Skin and chronic kidney disease].

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nephrology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• The association between kidney and skin diseases is often underestimated.
• Cutaneous manifestations are integral to several immunological diseases and genetic syndromes.
• Metabolic complications of renal disease can lead to severe skin conditions like calciphylaxis and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significant relationship between skin and kidney pathologies.
• To emphasize the diagnostic value of skin lesions in identifying renal involvement.
• To underscore the importance of recognizing cutaneous signs for timely diagnosis of systemic diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical presentations linking dermatological and nephrological conditions.
• Analysis of specific diseases where skin manifestations serve as early indicators of renal disease.
• Discussion of conditions such as systemic amyloidosis and atheroembolic disease with cutaneous and renal involvement.

Main Results:

• Skin lesions can be the initial presentation of serious systemic diseases with kidney involvement.
• Conditions like calciphylaxis, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and those associated with diabetes mellitus, porphyrias, amyloidosis, and atheroembolic disease demonstrate this link.
• Cutaneous signs such as livedo reticularis and blue toe syndrome can indicate renal dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Awareness of the skin-kidney connection is crucial for accelerating the diagnostic process.
• Dermatological findings should prompt consideration of underlying renal pathology.
• Early recognition of these cutaneous signs can lead to earlier diagnosis and management of kidney diseases.