Introduction:

Chronic kidney disease progresses slowly, silently and progressively. Prevention is crucial to avoid the onset of kidney damage and to enhance treatment.

Objective:

To describe the prevention of chronic kidney disease in adulthood.

Methodology:

Descriptive literature review carried out in specialised databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Scielo, Karger and Redalyc), specialised information centres and scientific journals (Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, American Journal of Nephrology). Manuscripts published from January 2010 to July 2021.

Results:

Twenty articles were selected and three categories were identified: “Primary prevention: measures to prevent the acquired disease”, “Secondary prevention: renal markers for early detection of chronic kidney disease”, “ Healthcare workers’ behaviour towards the prevention of chronic kidney disease”.

Conclusions:

Prevention of chronic kidney disease in adulthood is mostly addressed at the first two prevention levels. In the first level, by means of educational sessions and blood pressure control. On the second level, actions are targeted at early detection using renal markers such as glomerular filtration rate and microalbuminuria.