From the Guidelines
CKD3b refers to stage 3b of chronic kidney disease, which is characterized by moderately reduced kidney function with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30-44 mL/min/1.73m², as defined by the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative classification 1. This stage represents a significant decline in kidney function where patients require closer monitoring and may begin experiencing more noticeable symptoms.
Key Characteristics of CKD3b
- Moderately reduced kidney function
- eGFR between 30-44 mL/min/1.73m²
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications People with CKD3b should have regular blood tests every 3-6 months to monitor kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels.
Management of CKD3b
- Medication management becomes important at this stage, with careful dosing of drugs that are cleared by the kidneys
- Blood pressure control is crucial, often using ACE inhibitors or ARBs like lisinopril or losartan 1
- Dietary modifications may include moderate protein restriction (0.8 g/kg/day), sodium limitation to 2,000 mg daily, and potassium restriction if levels are elevated This stage represents a critical point in kidney disease progression where interventions can significantly slow further decline, as the kidneys have lost approximately 50-70% of their normal function but still maintain enough capacity to prevent most severe uremic symptoms. According to the National Kidney Foundation practice guidelines, treatment of comorbid conditions, interventions to slow progression of kidney disease, and measures to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease should begin during stage 1 and stage 2, and continue through stage 3b 1.
From the Research
Definition of CKD
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition that occurs as a result of damage to the kidneys 2
- CKD is characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time, which can lead to complications such as kidney failure and cardiovascular disease
Stages of CKD
- CKD is classified into five stages, with stage 1 being the least severe and stage 5 being the most severe 2
- The stages of CKD are based on the level of kidney function, which is measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
Treatment of CKD
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are two classes of antihypertensive drugs that are commonly used to treat CKD 2, 3, 4, 5
- These drugs work by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure
- ACEi and ARB have been shown to slow the progression of CKD and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD 2, 3, 4, 5
CKD3b
- There is no specific mention of "CKD3b" in the provided evidence
- However, it is possible that "CKD3b" refers to a specific subtype or stage of CKD, such as stage 3b, which is characterized by an eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m2 2