Background. Health claims data may be an efficient and easily accessible source to study chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence in a nationwide population. Our aim was to study Dutch claims data for their ability to identify CKD patients in different subgroups. Methods. From a laboratory database, we selected 24 895 adults with at least one creatinine measurement in 2014 ordered at an outpatient clinic. Of these, 15 805 had >= 2 creatinine measurements at least 3 months apart and could be assessed for the chronicity criterion. We estimated the validity of a claim-based diagnosis of CKD and advanced CKD. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)-based definitions for CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and advanced CKD (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) satisfying and not satisfying the chronicity criterion served as reference group. Analyses were stratified by age and sex. Results. In general, sensitivity of claims data was highest in the population with the chronicity criterion as reference group. Sensitivity was higher in advanced CKD patients than in CKD patients