India recorded the world’s second-highest number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in 2023 an estimated 138 million people trailing only China, which had around 152 million, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet.
The study, led by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, along with experts from the US and UK, found that CKD was the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 1.5 million deaths in 2023.
The highest prevalence rates were observed in North Africa and the Middle East (18%), followed by South Asia (16%), and Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America (over 15%).
CKD also emerged as a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases, accounting for almost 12% of heart-related deaths globally and ranking as the seventh leading cause of heart-related mortality, surpassing diabetes and obesity, the researchers noted.
The study identified 14 key risk factors for CKD, with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity being the most significant drivers of health loss. Poor diet including low intake of fruits and vegetables and high sodium consumption also played a major role.
“Chronic kidney disease is not only a significant health burden but also a risk factor for many other leading causes of illness and death. Yet it continues to receive far less policy attention than other non-communicable diseases,” said Professor Theo Vos, senior author and professor emeritus at IHME.
The findings, drawn from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, tracked disease trends, injuries, and health risks across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023.
The researchers emphasized that most CKD cases are detected in the early stages, underscoring the need for regular screening and preventive strategies to slow disease progression and reduce heart-related deaths.
Given the limited and unequal access to dialysis and transplantation globally, the authors called for stronger focus on prevention, early diagnosis, and equitable treatment access.
Improving affordable care, addressing major risk factors, and investing in early interventions will be critical to managing the growing global burden of chronic kidney disease, the study concluded.
