Ultrasonographic Renal Parameters as Predictors of Chronic Kidney Disease Progression

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden worldwide. Early identification of patients at risk of disease progression remains essential for timely intervention. Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive and widely accessible method for evaluating structural renal changes that may reflect underlying functional impairment. The objective is to evaluate the utility of ultrasonographic renal parameters as predictors of chronic kidney disease progression and to determine their relationship with renal functional status. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study included 230 patients diagnosed with CKD stages 1–5. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic data were collected. Ultrasonographic parameters assessed included renal length, renal width, cortical thickness, parenchymal thickness, renal volume, and cortical echogenicity. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI equation. Results: The mean age of participants was 56.8 ± 13.4 years, and 60.0% were male. Stage 3 CKD was the most common disease category (40.9%), followed by Stage 4 CKD (25.2%). Renal cortical thickness demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with eGFR (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), followed by parenchymal thickness (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), renal volume (r = 0.58, p < 0.001), and renal length (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ultrasonographic renal parameters, particularly cortical thickness, cortical echogenicity, and renal volume, are significant predictors of chronic kidney disease progression. Renal cortical thickness exhibited the strongest association with renal function and demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance for predicting disease progression.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Ultrasonography; Renal cortical thickness; Renal echogenicity; Renal volume; Estimated glomerular filtration rate; Disease progression.