1. kidney failure, chronic The end-stage of CHRONIC RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. It is characterized by the severe irreversible kidney damage (as measured by the level of PROTEINURIA) and the reduction in GLOMERULAR FILTRATIONRATE to less than 15 ml per min (Kidney Foundation: KidneyDiseaseOutcomeQuality Initiative, 2002). These patients generally require HEMODIALYSIS or KIDNEYTRANSPLANTATION.