Chronic kidney disease (also known as chronic renal insufficiency or chronic renal failure), Chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic renal disease (CRD)), refers to the gradual and irreversible decline of renal function in several months or years. The main clinical symptoms are edema, proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and other complications. According to GFR (glomerular filtration rate) index, chronic kidney disease can be divided into five stages:

l  Stage 1: normal function. GFR：≧90 mL/min/1.73 m2

l  Stage 2. Mild decreased, GFR：60 - 89 mL/min/1.73 m2

l  Stage 3. Moderate decreased, GFR：30 - 59 mL/min/1.73 m2

l  Stage 4. Severe decreased GFR：15 - 29 mL/min/1.73 m2

l  Stage 5. Kidney failure, GFR：＜15 mL/min/1.73 m2

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment has obvious clinical effect on patients in stage 1 to 3, while patients in stage 4 and 5 need long-term treatment.