A staggering health crisis has emerged as chronic kidney disease (CKD) now affects close to 800 million adults globally, more than doubling from 1990 levels.
New research published in The Lancet revealed this silent epidemic claimed nearly 1.5 million lives in 2023 alone.
The disease has climbed to become the world's ninth-leading cause of death, according to the Global Burden of Disease study.
Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, alongside colleagues from New York University Grossman School of Medicine and the University of Glasgow, analysed 2,230 data sources spanning 204 nations and territories.
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Their comprehensive assessment tracked CKD patterns among adults aged 20 and above from 1990 through 2023.
What sets chronic kidney disease apart from other major health threats is its relentlessly increasing death toll.
While mortality rates for most leading killers have declined, kidney disease deaths rose from 24.9 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 26.5 per 100,000 by 2023.
Worryingly, kidney dysfunction was responsible for nearly 12 per cent of all heart-related fatalities in 2023, surpassing both diabetes and obesity as a cardiovascular risk.
Medical professionals diagnose CKD through blood and urine examinations
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The condition now ranks seventh among factors driving cardiovascular deaths globally.
Researchers found the highest prevalence of the disease in North Africa and the Middle East (18 per cent), South Asia (15.8 per cent), sub-Saharan Africa (15.6 per cent), and Latin America and the Caribbean (15.4 per cent).
"Chronic kidney disease is a growing global health crisis, yet much of its impact is preventable," stated Lauryn Stafford, researcher at IHME and study co-author.
The NHS describes chronic kidney disease as a long-term condition where kidney function deteriorates progressively.
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Lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthy diet, are key to prevention
| GETTY IMAGESEarly-stage kidney disease typically presents no symptoms, making detection challenging without routine blood or urine testing.
Advanced cases manifest through exhaustion, swollen extremities, breathing difficulties, nausea, and blood in the urine.
Medical professionals diagnose the condition through blood and urine examinations that detect elevated levels of specific substances indicating impaired kidney function.
These test results determine disease severity, with higher numbers reflecting more extensive kidney damage. Regular screening proves vital for high-risk individuals.
The NHS identifies multiple culprits behind CKD, with high blood pressure placing excessive strain on delicate kidney blood vessels.
Meanwhile, diabetes allows harmful glucose accumulation that damages filtering mechanisms, while elevated cholesterol creates fatty deposits that impede kidney function.
Treatment options vary according to disease progression.
Lifestyle modifications remain paramount, alongside medications managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Advanced cases may require dialysis to replicate kidney functions or transplantation.
Prevention strategies emphasise maintaining a healthy weight, consuming balanced meals rich in fruits and vegetables, while limiting sodium intake.
Regular physical activity, being a non-smoker, and moderate alcohol consumption also prove essential.
The NHS cautions against prolonged use of anti-inflammatory painkillers, which can damage the kidneys when taken excessively.
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