Which condition is most prevalent in patients with an estimated GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73²?

Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73² are often diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is frequently accompanied by hypertension. The relationship between CKD and hypertension is well established and stems from several physiological changes that occur as kidney function declines.

The kidneys play a critical role in regulating blood pressure by controlling fluid balance and electrolyte levels, particularly sodium. When kidney function worsens, the body's ability to excrete excess fluid and maintain a proper balance of electrolytes diminishes. This can lead to fluid overload and an increase in blood pressure, creating a cycle that exacerbates both the kidney condition and the hypertension.

In CKD, other risk factors, including hormonal changes that involve the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, can further contribute to increased blood pressure. As a result, hypertension becomes a common complication in patients with reduced kidney function, making it the most prevalent condition in this population.

In contrast, while a history of heart attacks, neurological symptoms like weakness and drooping, and kidney stones can occur in various patient populations, they are not as directly linked in prevalence to reduced kidney function as hypertension is. Thus, hypertension stands out as