Worldwide growing epidemic of CKD: fact or fiction?

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a major noncommunicable disease of growing epidemic dimension worldwide. However, recent surveys have shown a marked heterogeneity of CKD prevalence in the general population, from ∼5% to 13% across countries. Methodological issues, genetic diversity, and dietary factors may all play a role. An important, currently emerging aspect of CKD epidemiology is the variability of CKD trends over time, with some countries showing a stable or even a decreased prevalence.