A new global study reveals that chronic kidney disease is affecting more people than ever before, with nearly 788 million individuals worldwide now living with reduced kidney function.
That number has more than doubled from 378 million in 1990. As the world’s population grows and people live longer, kidney disease has become one of the top 10 causes of death globally.
Researchers from NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington led this large study. They focused on chronic kidney disease, a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste and extra fluids from the blood.
In its early stages, the disease often shows no clear symptoms. But over time, it can lead to kidney failure, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
The study, published in The Lancet, estimates that about 14% of all adults have chronic kidney disease. In 2023, about 1.5 million people died from it.
When researchers adjusted for age, they found that deaths from kidney disease have increased by more than 6% since 1993. The study also found that chronic kidney disease now ranks as the 12th leading cause of disability worldwide.
The research is part of the Global Burden of Disease project, which is the most detailed international effort to understand how diseases affect populations over time. The team used information from over 2,200 studies and health data from 133 countries to produce the new estimates.
One major concern raised by the researchers is that kidney disease is not getting the attention it deserves. According to Dr. Josef Coresh from NYU Langone Health, kidney disease is common, dangerous, and becoming more of a public health threat. He believes it should be treated as seriously as heart disease, cancer, or mental health disorders.
In May, the World Health Organization officially added chronic kidney disease to its list of key global health priorities. The goal is to reduce early deaths from non-infectious diseases by one-third by 2030.
Another important finding is that kidney disease contributes to other health issues. The study found that reduced kidney function plays a role in 12% of deaths from heart-related diseases. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity were found to be the biggest risk factors for developing kidney disease.
Most people included in the study were in the early stages of the disease, making it a critical time for treatment and lifestyle changes to stop its progression.
The study also revealed major gaps in access to treatment. In many low-income areas—such as parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America—dialysis and kidney transplants are often unavailable or too expensive. This makes it harder for people in these regions to survive once the disease reaches a more advanced stage.
The researchers also noted some positive developments. New medications introduced in the last five years can slow the disease and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, these treatments are not yet widely available in many parts of the world, and diagnosing the disease early remains a challenge.
Dr. Morgan Grams, another lead author of the study, emphasized the need for more routine urine testing to catch kidney disease early. She also stressed the importance of making treatment affordable and available to all who need it.
In conclusion, this new study sends a strong message: chronic kidney disease is a growing global problem that needs urgent attention. With better testing, treatment, and awareness, it’s possible to slow its spread and improve the lives of millions.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about pesticide linked to chronic kidney disease, and this drug may prevent kidney failure in people with diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about drug duo that may treat kidney failure, and results showing these vegetables may protect against kidney damage.
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