Chronic Kidney Disease Cases Surge Globally, Impacting Canada

The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has more than doubled since 1990, with nearly 800 million adults currently affected. A recent study, published in The Lancet, highlights this concerning trend, while also revealing a paradox in Canada, where the prevalence rate for CKD has decreased slightly, yet the mortality rate has risen sharply.

Data from the study indicates that the global prevalence of CKD reached 14.2% of the adult population in 2023, translating to approximately 788 million individuals worldwide. This marks a 3.5% increase from 1990. Chronic kidney disease has emerged as the ninth leading cause of death, responsible for 1.5 million fatalities annually. The findings underscore the pressing need for public health interventions to address this growing crisis.

According to Dr. Marcello Tonelli, a medical professor at the University of Calgary and co-author of the study, the rise in CKD cases is largely attributed to aging populations and increasing rates of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. He stated, “As the risk of death from infectious illnesses declines, people are living longer and are more likely to develop noncommunicable diseases like CKD.”

Despite the global increase, Canada reports a 6.9% prevalence rate of CKD in 2023, which is lower than in the United States (11.7%) but higher than in other high-income nations such as the United Kingdom (8.4%) and Australia (8.8%). While these figures suggest a stable prevalence, Dr. Tonelli cautioned against complacency, stating, “I wouldn’t read too much into the small decline. I’d characterize it as stable and not worse.”

Rising Mortality Rates Signal Urgent Need for Action

Canada’s mortality rate for CKD has reached an alarming 17.5 per 100,000 people in 2023, representing a staggering 73.3% increase since 1990. This trend implies that a larger share of individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease are succumbing to the condition. Dr. Tonelli expressed concern, calling the rising mortality rate an “important wake-up call for Canada.”

He attributes this increase to failures in early detection and treatment, particularly among younger patients, aged 45 to 60, who present significant risk factors. “The fix is to invest in more early detection and timely treatment, focusing on people with known risk factors,” he emphasized, urging the federal government to formulate a national action plan similar to the one implemented for diabetes.

Co-author Lauryn Stafford, a researcher at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, referred to CKD as “a growing global health crisis” that can be mitigated through preventative measures. She noted that rising rates of diabetes and obesity are closely linked to the increasing CKD burden, particularly in regions hardest hit by these conditions.

The study identified the highest prevalence rates of CKD in regions such as North Africa and the Middle East (18.0%), South Asia (15.8%), sub-Saharan Africa (15.6%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (15.4%). Countries such as Iran (22.7%), Haiti (22.1%), and Nigeria (20.4%) reported some of the highest rates globally.

Call to Action for Canada’s Health System

The findings present a complex picture for Canada’s health system. Despite a slight decrease in CKD prevalence, the significant increase in mortality suggests critical gaps in healthcare delivery. Dr. Tonelli advocates for enhanced screening protocols, particularly among at-risk populations, including Indigenous communities, to address the disparities in CKD outcomes.

He highlighted the economic rationale for investing in early detection, stating, “Every dollar invested in early detection of chronic kidney disease can yield up to $45 in averted costs.” The urgency for a national action plan is evident, given the substantial potential for improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare expenses associated with late-stage kidney disease.

As the data reveals the stark realities of CKD’s impact, it underscores the necessity for coordinated efforts to combat this escalating health crisis. With global cases on the rise, Canada must prioritize early detection and effective treatment to reverse the troubling trends highlighted in the latest research.