Editing Kidney transplantation (section)

== Indications ==
The [[indication (medicine)|indication]] for kidney transplantation is [[end-stage renal disease]] (ESRD), regardless of the primary cause. This is defined as a glomerular filtration rate below 15 ml/min/1.73  m<sup>2</sup>. Common diseases leading to ESRD include renovascular disease, [[infection]], [[diabetes mellitus]], and autoimmune conditions such as chronic glomerulonephritis and [[Systemic lupus erythematosus|lupus]]; genetic causes include [[polycystic kidney disease]], and a number of inborn errors of metabolism. The most common 'cause' is idiopathic (i.e. unknown).

Diabetes is the most common known cause of kidney transplantation, accounting for approximately 25% of those in the United States. The majority of renal transplant recipients are on dialysis ([[peritoneal dialysis]] or [[hemodialysis]]) at the time of transplantation. However, individuals with chronic kidney disease who have a living donor available may undergo pre-emptive transplantation before dialysis is needed. If a patient is put on the waiting list for a deceased donor transplant early enough, this may also occur pre-dialysis.