CKD stage 5 is defined by which of the following?

• A. eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2
• B. On dialysis only
• C. eGFR <20 with anemia
• D. eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or patient on dialysis

Answer: (D)

Stage 5 CKD represents kidney failure and is defined by either an estimated glomerular filtration rate below 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or by the patient being on dialysis. The eGFR threshold shows when kidney function has become critically low, while being on dialysis indicates that renal replacement therapy is required regardless of the current eGFR value. So this definition covers both those with severely reduced filtration and those already receiving dialysis. An eGFR below 15 alone would miss patients who are on dialysis, and linking stage 5 to anemia or to an eGFR threshold alone without dialysis status isn’t the standard definition.