A major global health concern is emerging as chronic kidney disease (CKD) is believed to affect around 844 million adults worldwide, according to leading medical experts. The condition causes a gradual decline in kidney function, often progressing silently until it reaches severe stages.
Health data also shows that around 7.2 million people in the UK are living with CKD, but experts warn that diagnosis rates remain alarmingly low, particularly in high-income countries such as Britain.
Researchers estimate that up to half of individuals with severe CKD may still go undiagnosed, while even among those with a recorded diagnosis, as many as nine in ten are unaware they have the condition.
Medical specialists say the lack of early symptoms makes CKD particularly dangerous, as most patients only begin to experience noticeable health issues when the disease has already advanced to life-threatening stages.
Common symptoms in later stages include fatigue, swelling in the limbs, shortness of breath, nausea and blood in the urine, often leading to dialysis or kidney transplant requirements.
In a series of studies published in The Lancet, researchers warned that CKD could become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040, highlighting the urgent need for earlier detection and intervention.
Experts have also called for routine urine testing for protein across healthcare systems, arguing that earlier screening could significantly improve outcomes and reduce long-term complications.
The rise in CKD cases has been linked to ageing populations, increasing rates of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, as well as lifestyle factors such as high salt intake and poor diet.
Although there is no cure for CKD, treatment options including medication, lifestyle changes and dialysis can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
Health specialists continue to stress that early detection remains the most effective defence against kidney failure and related complications, including heart disease and stroke.
