Risk factors

Certain factors increase the risk that chronic kidney disease will progress more quickly to end-stage renal disease, including:

• Diabetes with poor blood sugar control
• Kidney disease that affects the glomeruli, the structures in the kidneys that filter wastes from the blood
• Polycystic kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco use
• Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander or American Indian heritage
• Family history of kidney failure
• Older age
• Frequent use of medications that could be damaging to the kidney