The number of patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) has grown worldwide, especially in Brazil. This disease increases the public expenditure, besides having other economic implications and impacts. Most patients are in the productive age, range (15-49 years old).The purpose of this study was to estimate the income losses due to CRD using data from the Brazilian Household Survey (Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios [PNAD-1998]).Two econometric methods were used: ordinary least squares and quantile regression.The data showed that the incidence rate was higher among individuals with lower income deciles and few years of schooling. The incidence rate among individuals who studied 1 year was almost 5 times higher than that among those subjects who studied for 14 years. The estimates showed that CRD had a negative effect on patient income. On average, CRD individuals suffered an 11% reduction in remuneration.These estimates pointed out that the poorest people are more affected by CRD. The highest incidence in the lower income stratus suggests that new actions and prevention must be adopted to provide health assistance for individuals with CRD.