A Sharp Global Rise in Chronic Kidney Disease Cases

A recent study has revealed a worrying surge in chronic kidney disease cases worldwide, making it one of the most dangerous silent conditions threatening millions, yet still overlooked by many health policymakers.

A study published in The Lancet has revealed that the number of people living with chronic kidney disease worldwide has more than doubled since 1990, reaching around 788 million cases in 2023. The study noted that the disease caused 1.48 million deaths in the same year, with diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure identified as the primary contributing factors.

The researchers described chronic kidney disease as “a major global health concern” and emphasized that it plays a significant role among non-communicable diseases, yet still receives insufficient attention from policymakers compared to other conditions. The findings showed that the disease ranked as the ninth leading cause of death globally in 2023, while kidney failure accounted for about 12% of deaths related to cardiovascular diseases.

The sharp rise is partly attributed to population growth and aging, as the disease predominantly affects older individuals. The study also pointed out that excess body weight increases the risk of developing diabetes, which is one of the main causes of kidney failure.

According to the study, more than 14% of the global population were living with chronic kidney disease in 2023, most of them in the early stages of the condition.