Overall, there has been tremendous evidence-based progress in managing patients with all

stages of CKD, albeit with gaps in our knowledge for those with the most advanced disease. The
articles in the issue ofAdvances in Chronic Kidney Disease review the current understanding and
management challenges encountered in these patients. Given that we cannot yet abolish CKD, these
contributors hopefully will provide some guidance to our care of these vulnerable patients and help
them weather the storm.

References
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Demoulin, N., Beguin, C., Labriola, L., and Jadoul, M. Preparing renal replacement therapy in
stage 4 CKD patients referred to nephrologists: a difficult balance between futility and insufficiency. A
cohort study of 386 patients followed in Brussels. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011; 26: 220226
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National Weather Service Glossary. http://weather.gov/glossary. Accessed May 11, 2016.Toor,
M.R., Singla, A., Kim, J.K., Sumin, X., DeVita, M.V., and Michelis, M.F. Preventing the progression of
chronic kidney disease: two case reports and review of the literature. Int Urol
Nephrol. 2014; 11:21672174