Awareness of kidney disease in the US population: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2000.

Background: The prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the US population has been predicted to increase by 48% during the next decade and will pose a significant health cost burden. Early identification and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is necessary to delay progression from CKD to ESRD. CKD awareness among patients is crucial to early intervention programs, but its prevalence and characteristics in the noninstitutionalized US population are unknown.