Chronic kidney disease: susceptibility in a representative population-based sample

Chronic kidney disease has high morbidity and mortality. In order to track the disease, we conducted a population-based study in a medium-sized city in Southeastern Brazil. Based on instrument SCreening for Occult REnal Disease (SCORED), we evaluated 1,016 individuals with mean age of 44 (SD = 13.2) years. High blood pressure and diabetes mellitus, major causes of chronic kidney disease, were reported by 34.7% and 10.5% of the individuals, respectively. In addition, 31.3% of the sample presented increased risk for the disease, thus leading to a prevalence estimate of 5.4%. A simple screening method allowed the early detection of a population at risk for chronic kidney disease.