Also known as: renal failure, end stage renal disease, ESRD, Stage 5 chronic kidney disease
Kidney failure, also referred to as renal failure, signifies a condition where the kidneys have ceased to function effectively, to the point where the individual cannot sustain life without either dialysis or a kidney transplant. The term “renal” pertains to the kidneys, hence these two terms are used interchangeably. Essentially, kidney failure and renal failure convey the same meaning—kidney function has declined to less than 10% to 15%, necessitating renal replacement therapy for survival.
In most cases, kidney failure develops after years of chronic kidney disease. Your doctor might use the terms “end stage renal disease” (ESRD) or “Stage 5 chronic kidney disease” (CKD) to denote kidney failure. This classification stems from the National Kidney Foundation, which divides chronic kidney disease into five stages, with kidney failure being synonymous with the end stage or Stage 5.
