Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a critical global health challenge, affecting a staggering 788 million individuals by 2023, up from 378 million in 1990. This surge positions CKD within the top 10 causes of death globally for the first time, as the world population ages and grows.
The study, spearheaded by researchers from NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, examines the escalation of CKD. The disease progressively impairs kidney function, hindering the organ’s ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. While mild cases may remain symptomless, severe stages necessitate dialysis, kidney replacement therapy, or transplants.
According to the findings, approximately 14% of adults globally are affected by CKD. The condition claimed about 1.5 million lives in 2023, marking a rise of over 6% since 1993, after adjusting for age demographic changes. Dr. Josef Coresh, a co-senior author of the study and Director at the Optimal Aging Institute, NYU Langone Health, remarked, “Our work shows that chronic kidney disease is common, deadly, and getting worse as a major public health issue.”
In May, the World Health Organization included CKD in its agenda to cut early deaths from noncommunicable diseases by one-third before 2030. A thorough understanding of CKD’s demographic trends is crucial for tackling the epidemic, asserts Dr. Coresh, who also serves as the Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Published in The Lancet on November 7, the study is the most extensive estimate of CKD in nearly a decade and was presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual Kidney Week conference. Conducted as part of the Global Burden of Disease 2023 study, this research is pivotal in guiding policy and global health research.
The team analysed 2,230 research papers and national health datasets across 133 countries, assessing patterns in diagnoses, mortality, and the impact of disability caused by CKD. The study also identified impaired kidney function as a significant risk factor for heart disease, contributing to 12% of global cardiovascular mortality. In 2023, CKD ranked as the 12th leading cause of diminished quality of life due to disability. High blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high body mass index were pinpointed as the primary risk factors.
Most CKD patients in the study were in the early stages of the disease. Early intervention with medication and lifestyle changes can avert the necessity for costly treatments like dialysis and transplants. However, in low-income regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, access to these treatments remains limited.
Dr. Morgan Grams, co-lead author and the Susan and Morris Mark Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasised the need for increased urine testing for early detection and affordable treatment access. Recent advancements in medication can slow CKD progression and reduce cardiovascular risks, though global improvements will take time. Dr. Grams warns that CKD may be more prevalent than current data indicates due to underdiagnosis.
