Clinical assessment of renal disease

The assessment of patients with renal disease is an important clinical skill as these patients can present to any hospital department, or in the community. This article provides the reader with a straightforward and logical approach to patients presenting with renal disease, by dividing them into three categories: acute kidney injury (AKI), sub-acute or intrinsic renal disease, such as glomerulonephritis, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). For each of these we outline the critical points in the history and examination, the key investigations that are required for further assessment, as well as suggesting the appropriate time to seek expert nephrological advice on further management and investigation.