[Risk factors for the progression of chronic kidney failure]

Virtually all renal diseases progress, although at different rates, to end-stage renal failure. The main clinical factors which may explain such relentless progression are reviewed and include: the underlying renal pathology, with the most rapid progression rate observed in glomerular disease and in polycystic kidney disease; systemic hypertension, a significant risk factor for progression in any renal disease; the magnitude and duration of proteinuria with the fastest progression rate found in the nephrotic syndrome; the degree of functional renal deterioration at which so called conservative treatment is prescribed. The proper identification of these risk factors may result in rational dietary and non-dietary intervention with the aim of slowing the progression of chronic renal disease.