Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant cause of morbidity and diminished quality of life for individuals with the disease. GlobalData epidemiologists analysed CKD epidemiology trends and found that most CKD sufferers in the US are unaware they have the condition. Figure 1 presents the rate of diagnosis of CKD by stage in the US, in 2016.

Figure 1: US, diagnosis rate of CKD by stage, 2016

Source: GlobalData, 2017

CKD is a degenerative kidney disease in which, over time, the kidneys slowly lose function. The two predominant causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. Both conditions cause damage to the kidneys along with damage to blood vessels and other organs. In CKD, the symptoms vary depending on the severity of the disease, but if left untreated can result in kidney failure and death. In its most severe form, CKD can only be treated with dialysis and kidney transplant, both of which are very invasive procedures that significantly affect an individual’s quality of life.

GlobalData epidemiologists forecast that in the US, there were 34,642,003 total prevalent cases of CKD in 2016, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Of those cases, only 6,106,739 had been diagnosed, accounting for 17.6% of all CKD cases. Improving the rate of early diagnosis can improve the life course of a person with CKD, as symptoms can be mitigated with early intervention in the less severe stages of disease.

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Details about this forecast and other discussions of CKD epidemiology can be found in the EpiCast Report: Chronic Kidney Disease – Epidemiology Forecast to 2026 and the EpiCast Model: Chronic Kidney Disease – Epidemiology Forecast to 2026.

Related Reports

  • GlobalData (2017). EpiCast Report: Chronic Kidney Disease – Epidemiology Forecast to 2026, GDHCER175-17.
  • GlobalData (2017). EpiCast Model: Chronic Kidney Disease – Epidemiology Forecast to 2026, GDHCEM175-17.