CKD facts and stats 2024
- Your kidneys are vital organs – just like your brain, heart, lungs and liver. Your kidneys clean your blood, help control your blood pressure, help make red blood cells and keep your bones healthy
- The kidney has 7 functions
- CKD has 10 common symptoms, 7 causes, and 5 stages
- CKD affects 10% of the population; but for people aged 65-74 years its 25%, and 50% if 75 years or over. However most of these older people have a (partly age related) mild dysfunction (CKD1-3), that does not progress to more advanced stages (CKD4-5) and the need for dialysis. In other words, for many of these older people, it is really part of the ageing process and not a disease
- For every two women who develop kidney failure (CKD5), three men develop kidney failure. However, chronic kidney disease is generally more common in women than men
- Kidney disease is one of the fastest-growing noncommunicable diseases in the world
- Kidney disease is a silent killer, usually with no signs or symptoms until the later stages (CKD4-5)
- Kidney disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death
- The incidence (new patients) of ESRF in the UK is 108 new patients per million population per year. This equates to over 7500 new ESRF patients a year
- Just under 69,500 adults had ESRF (i.e. on dialysis or had a kidney transplants) in 2021. Of these, 39,000 had a transplant
- The average waiting time for an adult deceased donor transplant in the UK is 497 days (16.3 months)
- Kidney disease can often be prevented, and the progression of mild/moderate CKD (CKD1-3) to more advanced kidney failure (CKD4-5) can often be slowed down or stopped
- Whilst early chronic kidney disease has no signs or symptoms, simple blood (especially creatinine/eGFR) and urine tests (urine ACR) can tell how well your kidneys are working. If you think you are at risk (e.g. have diabetes or high blood pressure, or urinary problems), talk to your doctor about getting tested
- Early detection saves lives. Even though CKD is not often reversible, it is treatable. When caught and treated early, it is often possible to slow or stop the progression of kidney disease and avoid serious complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death
- Keeping your blood pressure normal or low is one of the most important things you can do – ideally 130/80 or below (at home, GPs or hospital)
- Being physically active, keeping a healthy weight, consuming a healthy diet, and getting tested for CKD regularly can help protect your kidneys. Even small changes can make a big difference.
Other resource
Information for patients with CKD
10 CKD symptoms
This is a good review article: Vaidya, 2022
Last Reviewed on 28 May 2024