Prevalence and determinants of late-stage presentation of chronic kidney disease to nephrologists: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care centre in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health concern, frequently diagnosed at advanced stages owing to delayed presentation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Our cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Andhra Pradesh, India, to estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with late-stage presentation of CKD to nephrologists. Among 200 newly diagnosed CKD patients, 116 (58%) presented in stage IV or V, indicating late referral. A high proportion of these (60.3%) were males and from urban areas (62.1%). They also had significantly lower mean haemoglobin levels. There is need for early screening, improved referral pathways, and targeted interventions to reduce the burden of late-stage CKD.