Each stage of chronic kidney disease is related to the level of kidney function and kidney damage.Stage 1 – a normal eGFR greater than or equal to 90 millilitres per minute per 1.73m2, and albuminuria, haematuria, a pathological abnormality or a structural abnormality.
Stage 2 – a slightly decreased eGFR between 60 and 89 millilitres per minute per 1.73m2, and albuminuria, haematuria, a pathological abnormality or a structural abnormality.
Note: If your kidney function is at stage 1 or 2, you only have chronic kidney disease if you have albuminuria, haematuria, a pathological abnormality or a structural abnormality.
Stage 3a – a mild to moderate decrease in eGFR between 45 and 59 millilitres per minute per 1.73m2.
Stage 3b – a moderate to severe decrease in eGFR between 30 and 44 millilitres per minute per 1.73m2.
Stage 4 – a severe decrease in eGFR between 15 and 29 millilitres per minute per 1.73m2.
Stage 5 – end stage kidney disease, as eGFR decreases to less than 15 millilitres per minute per 1.73m2, or dialysis is started.
As chronic kidney disease progresses through the five stages, the images* above illustrate the severity of damage to the kidneys.
