Staging of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is undertaken following the diagnosis of CKD in order to facilitate appropriate treatment and monitoring of the patient. Staging is based initially on fasting plasma creatinine, assessed on at least two occasions in the stable patient. The patient is then substaged based on proteinuria and systemic blood pressure.
 

Based on these categories, some empirical recommendations can be made about the type of treatment it would be logical to use for these cases.  In addition, predictions based on clinical experience might be made about the likely response to treatment.
 

As well as the full current Staging Algorithm, summaries based on the 2006 Guidelines are available as ‘at a glance’ cards or posters for you to download and use in your practice. These are also available in some countries from your local Novartis Animal Health representative.