Impact of chronic kidney disease escalates around the world
UC medical expert says CKD burden is projected to rise
The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) keeps escalating around the world, and this burden is projected to rise with population growth and aging, according to a study published in BMC Public Health.
Even in countries with available clinical and epidemiological data, there is limited awareness among the public and health care decision makers, causing delayed diagnosis and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Despite treatment advances, substantial research gaps hinder efforts to address the CKD burden, particularly in underserved regions.
“The aging population, rising obesity rates and higher diabetes prevalence suggest that the CKD burden will continue to grow,” Prakash Gudsoorkar, MD, a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor of nephrology and medical lead for the onconephrology service at UC Health recently told MedCentral. “These trends underscore the urgent need for early screening, improved diabetes and hypertension control and targeted interventions for at-risk populations."
Evidence from a 2024 consensus published in Nature suggests that the burden of CKD risk factors is rising rapidly in low-income and lower middle income countries, compounded by environmental risks, increased rate of infectious diseases and limited health care resources.
Gudsoorkar agreed, noting that other risk factors are of socioeconomic and racial disparity etiologies, including higher CKD prevalence in Black individuals due to APOL1 variants and health care barriers, which worsen outcomes.
“In addition, onconephrology, a highly specialized offshoot of nephrology, highlights the impact of kidney disease in cancer patients, with 12% to 25% developing stage 3 CKD or beyond due to the nephrotoxic potential of administered cancer therapies,” he said.
Gudsoorkar recommended primary care physicians educate patients on the importance of utilizing remote monitoring through wearable devices, telehealth consults, home-based blood pressure measurements and glucose trackers for enhanced disease management.
“To improve CKD outcomes, encourage CKD patients and those at risk of the condition to adopt plant-based, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) or Mediterranean diets, which studies have proven to help achieve 5% to 10% weight loss. In addition, policies addressing occupational heat stress and hydration may help prevent CKD of unknown origin,” he said.
Featured image at top: iStock.
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.