An individual with high serum creatinine and an eGFR of 20 mL/min is considered to be in which stage of CKD?

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the classification into stages is primarily based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the degree of kidney damage. An eGFR of 20 mL/min indicates a significant decline in kidney function, which corresponds to advanced CKD.

The stages of CKD are defined as follows:

• Stage 1: eGFR of 90 mL/min or more (with evidence of kidney damage).

• Stage 2: eGFR between 60 and 89 mL/min (with evidence of kidney damage).
• Stage 3: eGFR between 30 and 59 mL/min (with or without evidence of kidney damage).
• Stage 4: eGFR between 15 and 29 mL/min (severe reduction in kidney function).
• Stage 5: eGFR less than 15 mL/min (kidney failure).

Since the individual in question has an eGFR of 20 mL/min, this value falls within the range defined for Stage 4 CKD. At this stage, there is a severe reduction in kidney function, and it's critical for the patient to be monitored closely and prepared for potential dialysis or kidney transplantation