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Chronic kidney failure

Chronic Kidney Disease Burden in China: Analysis and Forecasts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A comprehensive analysis of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) burden in China has been conducted, shedding light on the growing threat to human health. Research by the National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention aimed to investigate the CKD burden by age, gender, CKD causes, and geographical region in China from 1990 to 2021. The study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021, revealing substantial disparities in CKD burden across sexes, age-groups, and provinces.

Key Takeaways:

  • In 2021, China had 118.40 million cases of CKD, including 3.32 million incident cases, resulting in 0.20 million deaths.
  • The age-standardized incidence rate of CKD increased from 1990 to 2021 at an average annual percentage change of 0.32%/year (95% CI: 0.29-0.35).
  • Substantial disparities in CKD burden were observed across sexes, age-groups, and provinces, with older adults and residents of middle/low-middle sociodemographic index (SDI) provinces experiencing a higher burden.
  • High fasting plasma glucose, high blood pressure, and high body-mass index were among the top three risk factors for CKD.
  • Impaired kidney function contributed to 8.18 million cardiovascular diseases disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), 6.13 million CKD DALYs, and 0.04 million gout DALYs.
  • Population aging serves as the primary contributor to the rising CKD burden.
  • Effective prevention and intervention strategies tailored to local conditions are necessary to alleviate the disease burden, particularly targeting high-risk populations and provinces with middle and low-middle SDI.

Statistics:

  • 118.40 million cases of CKD in China in 2021
  • 3.32 million incident cases of CKD in 2021
  • 0.20 million deaths due to CKD in 2021
  • Average annual percentage change in age-standardized incidence rate of CKD: 0.32%/year (95% CI: 0.29-0.35)
  • 8.18 million cardiovascular diseases DALYs attributed to impaired kidney function
  • 6.13 million CKD DALYs attributed to impaired kidney function
  • 0.04 million gout DALYs attributed to impaired kidney function

Sources:

  • Disease Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease in China (1990-2021): An Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Kidney Diseases, 2025;11(1):1-19.
  • National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
  • Pengpeng Ye, Ying Huang, Lu Wen, Xiongfei Pan, Jianghua Chen, and Ying Xu.

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