Heat Identified as an Unexpected Risk Factor for Kidney Disease

Scientists have found that higher air temperatures are associated with an increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The conclusion comes from an analysis of county-level data across the United States, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The study examined data on chronic kidney disease among people aged 65 and older from 2005 to 2019, as well as data on end-stage renal disease from 2010 to 2019. The results showed that each 1°C increase in average annual temperature was linked to a 0.23 percentage point rise in diagnosed chronic kidney disease. At the same time, the incidence of end-stage renal disease increased by 1.37 cases per 100,000 people.

The association was stronger during periods of extreme heat: the higher the temperatures and the longer the heatwaves lasted, the greater the risks. This pattern was most pronounced in lower-income counties, outside major urban areas, and in the southern and northwestern United States.

Researchers note that the kidneys are particularly sensitive to heat stress and dehydration. The findings suggest that climate factors should be taken into account in kidney disease prevention, especially for vulnerable populations.

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