A new global study has revealed an alarming trend — chronic kidney disease (CKD) is spreading rapidly and now affects nearly one billion people worldwide.

The findings were published in The Lancet.

In 1990, about 378 million people were living with the condition, but by 2023 that number had nearly doubled, reaching 788 million. Today, kidney disease ranks as the ninth leading cause of death globally, claiming approximately 1.5 million lives just last year.

What makes CKD particularly dangerous is its silent progression. Symptoms often appear only when the damage has become severe, meaning millions of people remain unaware of their condition until it’s too late.

The research — conducted by scientists from New York University (NYU Langone Health), the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) — analyzed data from 133 countries and over 2,200 scientific studies. Researchers identified the main risk factors as high blood sugar, hypertension, and excess body weight.

They also found a strong link between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular problems: roughly 12% of all deaths from heart and vascular diseases are related to impaired kidney function.

According to the researchers, CKD is not only a medical issue but also a social and economic challenge. Treating it requires enormous resources — dialysis, transplants, and lifelong monitoring. However, if detected early, the disease’s progression can be slowed, and its most severe outcomes can be avoided.

Scientists emphasize the need to shift focus from treating consequences to prevention and early detection. Simple blood and urine tests, along with regular blood pressure and glucose checks, can help protect the health of millions.