Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is rapidly emerging as a major health crisis in India, with the southern region recording the prevalence at 14.78 percent in the country, according to a recent study.
Once considered a disease of the elderly, CKD is now increasingly striking younger populations, driven by rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and lifestyle changes.
The study published in the journal Nephrology by Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) Puducherry, the researchers suggest that the burden of the disease is steadily increasing, with overall CKD prevalence in India now standing at 13.24 percent.
CKD is silently emerging as a major public health crisis in India, affecting millions with little warning — until it’s too late.
Worryingly, the prevalence of CKD in India increased by 47.3 percent over six years, rising from 11.12 percent between 2011 and 2017 to 16.38 percent between 2018 and 2023 among individuals aged 15 and above.
CKD, a condition characterised by the gradual decline of kidney function, is commonly associated with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and lifestyle habits. Its occurrence varies widely across different parts of India.
To evaluate the extent of CKD in the country, researchers conducted a systematic review of community-based studies published between January 2011 and December 2023. They gathered peer-reviewed data from databases like PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE to ensure a comprehensive analysis.
Men and rural population impacted more
Men appear to be more affected by CKD, with a prevalence of 14.80 percent; in women, the rate stands at 13.51 percent. Health experts warn that future studies could reveal CKD rates anywhere between 2.64 percent and 30.17 percent, indicating the potential for an even greater crisis if preventive measures are not immediately implemented.
While South India has the highest prevalence, CKD rates vary significantly across different regions. The western and central zones also show alarmingly high rates, with 15.27 percent and 16.74 percent prevalence, respectively.
The eastern region reports a lower prevalence at 8.58 percent, while Northern India records the lowest at 7.2 percent. However, there is little representative data available for the northeastern states, highlighting the need for further research to fully understand the extent of the disease.
Beyond regional differences, CKD disproportionately affects rural populations, where the prevalence is 15.34 percent, compared to 10.65 percent in urban areas.
The disparity suggests that rural communities face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, leading to late diagnosis and inadequate management of the disease. Contributing factors such as water contamination, environmental toxins, high salt consumption, and prolonged exposure to extreme heat conditions may also be playing a role in the higher burden of CKD in rural India.
“Disparities in wealth and education, rising burden of diabetes and hypertension, lack of robust community-based screening programs, attributing to late diagnosis, etc. have long been identified as prominent causes of increase in CKD burden in India,” said the authors of the study.
“The lack of comprehensive studies representing local or regional populations has hindered accurate CKD prevalence estimates across various administrative zones, except the southern zone. This highlights the need for further research and more community-based screening programs focused on CKD for early detection and intervention,” the researchers concluded.
Why are the cases going up?
There are multiple factors contributing to this alarming trend, ranging from environmental conditions to dietary habits and genetic predisposition.
“Many studies suggest that water contamination, exposure to agrochemicals, and chronic heat stress could be potential culprits. The hot climate in India also increases the risk of dehydration, which can contribute to kidney damage over time,” said Hyderabad-based Nephrologist Dr B Rahul Reddy.
He added that dietary habits in the region may also be playing a role. “Traditional Indian diets are often high in salt, with frequent consumption of pickles, papads, and processed foods, all of which contribute to hypertension — a major risk factor for CKD. Additionally, the widespread use of over-the-counter painkillers, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), for common ailments like headaches and joint pain, can be harmful to kidney health in the long run. The high consumption of polished white rice also contributes to an increased risk of diabetes, which further exacerbates the burden of CKD.”
He further said that despite the high CKD prevalence, early detection is a challenge, particularly in rural areas. Urban centers have better access to nephrology care, which is why screening rates are higher.
“However, in rural regions, CKD cases are often detected at advanced stages, leading to poor outcomes due to inadequate follow-up and limited healthcare access,” he said.
Dr Reddy also pointed out increasing awareness, promoting early screening, and improving access to nephrology care in rural areas are crucial steps in addressing this growing health crisis, “Without urgent intervention, CKD will continue to be a major health burden in South India and across the country.”