What is the life expectancy with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
This is very variable.
Life expectancy with CKD depends on the person’s age and the stage at which diagnosis occurs.
For example, having more kidney damage at an earlier age can reduce life expectancy more than being diagnosed later in life with less kidney damage.
Stage 3 chronic kidney disease life expectancy
Life expectancy for stage 3 kidney disease depends on the age at diagnosis. One study found that the life expectancy for men and women diagnosed with CKD stage 3A at the age of 40, was a little more than 24 years.
On the other hand, the same study found that being diagnosed with CKD stage 3A at age 60 resulted in a life expectancy of 10 years. In other words, CKD3 at this age should be considered more of risk factor (for more advanced kidney disease) than a disease itself.
This is why information on life expectancy with a diagnosis of Stage 3 CKD has to be interpreted with caution.
Stage 4 chronic kidney disease life expectancy
Stage 4 CKD is associated with more significant damage to the kidneys. At this stage, the disease has progressed quite far.
The life expectancy for someone diagnosed with CKD stage 4 at any age, is significantly lower than the average life expectancy. One study found that the life expectancy for someone aged 70 who enters CKD stage 4 is about 4 years. But, the big but, most of these people will die before they need dialysis. In other words, CKD will not be the cause of death.
As with any such figure, many factors, such as newer treatments, might not be reflected in past studies.
Stage 5 chronic kidney disease/kidney failure/ESRF life expectancy
Stage 5 CKD, or kidney failure, carries a much lower life expectancy than all other stages. At this stage, the kidneys have failed.
The damage to the kidneys cannot be undone. While dialysis and kidney transplant are options in this stage that can prolong life, life expectancy is relatively low.
The average survival is 5 years from the start of dialyis, but less with worse prognosis causes of CKD – e.g. 3 years with diabetic nephropathy, and 18 months with renovascular disease.
Summary
We have described what is the life expectancy of someone with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is very variable and so hard to generalise. You need to ask your doctor what ‘CKD’ means for you. If its CKD3 and you are older, it may be no more than a risk factor (i.e. not a disease itself).
Last Reviewed on 14 June 2024