A silent condition affecting around one million people in the UK is now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, new research reveals. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often has no symptoms in its early stages, but it is estimated to cause up to 45,000 premature deaths in the UK each year.
The study, led by NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, found that the number of people with reduced kidney function globally has risen from 378 million in 1990 to 788 million in 2023. About 14% of adults worldwide now have CKD, with 1.5 million deaths attributed to the condition in 2023 – a 6% increase since 1993 after adjusting for age demographics.
In the UK, approximately one million people are living with the disease without realising it. The condition gradually impairs the kidneys' ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Severe cases may require dialysis, kidney replacement therapy, or a transplant.
“Our work shows that chronic kidney disease is common, deadly, and getting worse as a major public health issue,” said study co-senior author Dr Josef Coresh. The findings, published in The Lancet and presented at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week conference, highlight the need for early detection through urine testing and access to new medications that can slow disease progression.
Chronic kidney disease is often caused by conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. The World Health Organisation added CKD to its agenda to reduce early deaths from noncontagious illnesses by one-third before 2030.
