Study: Chronic Kidney Disease Claims 1.5 Million Lives in a Single Year
A recent international study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet reveals that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising at an alarming rate, becoming one of the most dangerous global health crises. It now ranks as the ninth most common cause of death worldwide.
Researchers from the Universities of Washington and Glasgow, along with the Langone Research Center, reported that the number of people suffering from chronic kidney dysfunction has nearly doubled since 1999 — increasing from around 378 million to approximately 788 million patients today.
The data shows that one in seven adults worldwide lives with chronic kidney problems.
The study analyzed health data from 204 countries, focusing on adults over the age of 20 between 1990 and 2023. It found that the year 2023 alone recorded 1.5 million deaths linked to kidney diseases — a 6% increase compared to three decades ago.
Dr. Joseph Kersch, in comments reported by HealthDay, explained that the findings confirm that kidney disease is becoming more widespread and more deadly, representing a major public health challenge that demands urgent attention.
It is worth noting that declining kidney function hinders the body’s ability to eliminate toxins, and symptoms often do not appear until the disease reaches advanced stages requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
