[Chronic kidney diseases: common and harmful, but also preventable and treatable].

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem worldwide. In Brazil incidence and prevalence of end stage renal failure are increasing; prognosis is still poor and costs of disease treatment are very high. Regardless of the etiology, main outcomes in patients with CKD are its complications (anemia, metabolic acidosis, malnutrition and alteration in mineral metabolism), death (mainly due to cardiovascular causes) and loss of renal function. Recent studies indicate that these outcomes may be postponed with specific treatment if the CKD is diagnosed early and renoprotective and cardioprotective measures are implemented early in the course of the disease. The current definition and staging of CKD, as well as the discussion of the main preventive measures are addressed in this review.