Evolution of Chronic Kidney Disease in Different Regions of the World

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health issue, affecting over 690 million individuals worldwide. The prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney disease vary considerably across different geographical regions. However, comprehensive and in-depth research on CKD remains limited due to its diverse etiologies. Methods: This study provides a detailed assessment of the disease burden of CKD, considering its etiological basis and utilizing the latest data reflecting changing trends. This research synthesizes findings from previous studies, with the necessary literature sourced from online platforms such as Google Scholar, EMBASE, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases, as well as Global Burden of Disease (GBD), to compare visualizations of the world’s CKD levels and trends from 1990 to 2021. Results: The study results demonstrated that eating patterns are affected by historical and industrial factors, which likely contribute to the high prevalence of CKD in Western countries. The data also indicated that the global number of new CKD cases increased from just over 7.8 million in 1990 to nearly 19 million after 30 years. Additionally, the results showed that age and sex together accounted for the observed prevalence and disease-attributable disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates in CKD, with the highest rates seen in older age groups, except for CKD attributed to type 1 diabetes, where the incidence was higher in children, and the burden was greater in middle-aged adults. Conclusions: Overall, these findings are a valuable addition to the existing literature and provide evidence that CKD studies over a similar time frame reveal notable global trends and regional differences in highlighting this increasing burden.