Chronic kidney disease is emerging as a major public health concern worldwide, with India carrying a particularly heavy burden. A recent Lancet study estimates that India now has the second-highest number of people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally. In 2023, around 13.8 crore Indians were affected by the condition, second only to China’s 15.2 crore cases.
The global analysis, led by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, examined health data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023. The findings indicate that the disease burden has steadily increased over time, with the global prevalence of chronic kidney disease rising by 3.5 per cent during this period.
The report also highlights the growing severity of the condition. Chronic kidney disease ranked as the ninth-leading cause of death worldwide in 2023, accounting for nearly 15 lakh deaths globally, including over 1.2 lakh deaths in India.
With kidney disease often progressing silently until its later stages, early awareness and preventive care are critical. On World Kidney Day, we spoke to Dr Visweswar Reddy, Senior Consultant in Nephrology at SRM Prime Hospital, to understand the warning signs people should watch for and the steps that can help protect kidney health and reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Understanding chronic kidney disease
Dr Reddy explained that one of the most important kidney-related conditions affecting people today is chronic kidney disease (CKD). He described it as a permanent, progressive and irreversible damage to the kidneys that can eventually lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
“Chronic kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their function over time,” he said. “If the damage continues to progress, it can ultimately lead to kidney failure.”
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Recognising the warning signs
According to Dr Reddy, the symptoms of kidney disease are often linked to declining kidney function. These may include frothy urine, changes in the frequency of urination, swelling in the feet, loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue and general weakness.
However, he noted that one of the biggest challenges with kidney disease is that symptoms often appear very late.
“Unfortunately, most of these symptoms appear only when more than 90 per cent of kidney function has already been lost,” he said. “That is why chronic kidney disease is often described as a silent condition, because in the early stages, many patients may not experience any noticeable symptoms.”
Diabetes and hypertension are major risk factors
Dr Reddy highlighted that diabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension were among the most common conditions that contribute to kidney damage.
He noted that nearly 40 per cent of patients with diabetes and around 40 per cent of those with long-standing hypertension could eventually develop chronic kidney disease if their condition was not managed properly.
Despite this, he emphasised that early detection could significantly improve outcomes.
“The good news is that early diagnosis is possible and effective treatment is available, especially in the early stages of the disease,” he said.
Importance of early screening
Dr Reddy advised individuals who fall into high-risk groups to undergo regular screening. This included people with diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease, and adults above the age of 18 who may have risk factors.
Simple medical tests could help detect kidney problems early. “Basic investigations such as a serum creatinine blood test, urine examination and random blood sugar test can provide valuable information about kidney health,” he said.
Early treatment can prevent complications
Once chronic kidney disease is diagnosed, timely medical care can slow down the progression of the disease and help prevent severe complications.
Dr Reddy explained that treatment in the early stages could help preserve kidney function and reduce the chances of patients eventually requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. “Early treatment can prevent further deterioration and help patients maintain better kidney function for a longer period,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of kidney health, he added, “A healthy kidney means a healthy life.”
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS
