138 million Indians are living with Chronic Kidney Disease, making India second only to China in the global burden of this silent health crisis. A comprehensive global study has revealed concerning statistics about kidney disease in India and around the world. According to research published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, India is home to 138 million people suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD)—the second-highest number globally, just behind China's 152 million cases.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Often called a "silent killer," CKD can progress slowly over years without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.

The Global Impact

The study, conducted by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, along with partners in the U.S. and U.K., analyzed health data from 204 countries spanning over three decades (1990-2023).

The findings paint a sobering picture:

Nearly 1.5 million deaths worldwide in 2023 were caused by chronic kidney disease, making it the ninth-leading cause of death globally

Certain regions are hit hardest, with North Africa and the Middle East showing the highest prevalence at 18%, followed by South Asia at nearly 16%

Strong link to heart disease: CKD contributed to almost 12% of all heart-related deaths worldwide, ranking as the seventh leading cause of cardiovascular mortality—ahead of even diabetes and obesity

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

The study identified 14 risk factors for CKD, with three main culprits responsible for the greatest health impact: diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Diet also plays a significant role. Eating too few fruits and vegetables while consuming excessive salt substantially increases your risk of developing kidney disease.

Why This Matters

Professor Theo Vos, senior author of the study and professor emeritus at IHME, highlighted a critical concern: "Chronic kidney disease is both a major risk factor for other leading causes of health loss and a significant disease burden in its own right. Yet, it continues to receive far less policy attention than other non-communicable diseases, even as its impact grows fastest in regions already facing the greatest health inequities."

Hope Through Early Detection

There's encouraging news in the findings: most people diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2023 were in the early stages. This underscores the vital importance of:

• Regular screening programs to catch the disease early
• Prevention strategies targeting known risk factors
• Early intervention to slow disease progression

Catching kidney disease early can help prevent heart-related complications and delay or avoid the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation—treatments that become necessary in advanced stages.

The Path Forward

Access to kidney replacement therapies like dialysis and transplantation remains limited and unequal across the world. The research team emphasizes that addressing the growing burden of chronic kidney disease will require:

• Improving access to early diagnosis and affordable care
• Tackling key risk factors through public health initiatives
• Ensuring equitable healthcare access for all patients
• Investing in prevention strategies to stop the disease from progressing

As the burden of chronic kidney disease continues to grow—particularly in regions like South Asia, where India bears a significant portion and urgent action is needed to protect patients, support families, and strengthen healthcare systems worldwide.