Chronic kidney disease and the ageing population.

Due to improvements in socioeconomic development and increased life expectancy, the proportion of older people in the general population is increasing worldwide. While this trend is something to celebrate, it also brings with it challenges for health care systems. One particular challenge is an increase in chronic kidney disease, the prevalence of which is higher in older people. This article reviews the key links between kidney function, age, health and illness, and discusses the implications of the ageing population for the care of people with chronic kidney disease.