Risk Factors for End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- Age—Risk of ESRD increases with age
- Gender—Men are more likely than women to develop ESRD
- Race—African-Americans have higher rates of ESRD than people of other races
- Education—People with a lower educational background have a higher risk of developing ESRD
- Weight—Overweight individuals have a higher risk of ESRD
- Proteinuria—History of protein in the urine is a risk factor for ESRD
- Low hemoglobin —Individuals with a history of low hemoglobin have a higher risk of ESRD
- Nocturia—Individuals who frequently have to get up at night to urinate have a greater chance of ESRD
- Hyperuricemia—Higher blood uric acid levels increase risk of ESRD
- Genetics —Genetic factors have been identified, which either increase the risk of developing chronic renal failure or quicken the progression of this disease.
- Smoking —Smoking has been linked to the progression of renal disease among diabetic and hypertensive patients.
- Hyperlipidemia —Various lipid disorders are associated with the development of and progression to chronic renal failure.
- Recreational drugs —Opiates and cocaine have been linked to an increased risk for end-stage renal disease.
- Diabetes —Diabetes is the biggest risk factor for developing ESRD; one-third of the people who develop ESRD have diabetes.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) —Hypertension is the second most common cause of ESRD.
- Glomerulonephritis —This disease damages the glomeruli, which are the filtering units in the kidney. It is the third leading cause of ESRD.
- Drug use —Overuse of over-the-counter pain medication or abuse of illegal drugs increases your risk of ESRD.
- Other diseases —These conditions also affect kidney functioning:
Chronic kidney disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated April 22, 2013. Accessed July 2, 2013.
End-stage renal disease. National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/Research/ScientificAreas/Kidney/KEB.htm Updated September 15, 2010. Accessed July 2, 2013.
- Reviewer: Adrienne Carmack, MD
- Review Date: 05/2014 -
- Update Date: 05/28/2014 -
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