1 in 5 Indians at risk of Kidney disease: Study

N the bustling heart of India’s cities and the quiet corners of its villages, a silent crisis is brewing-chronic kidney dis- ease (CKD), often going unnoticed till later stages and is steadily becoming one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
The latest research published in the Nephrology journal underscores the alarming rise in CKD cases across In- dia. Analyzing data from 2011 to 2023, the study found that CKD preva- lence among individuals aged 15 and above increased from 11.2% (2011-17) to 16.38% (2018-23).
With kidney disease affecting close to one-fifth of India’s popu- lation, late diagnosis and limited access to treatment are turning it into a silent epidemic.
According to experts, in the ear- ly stages, symptoms are often mini- mal or go unnoticed, making it dif- ficult for individuals to recognise the condition until it has progressed to a more advanced stage.
“Most people don’t realise their kidneys are failing until it’s too late. By the time symptoms appear, including fatigue, swell- ing, or breathlessness, the majority of kid- ney function is already lost. At this stage, the damage is usually irreversible, making early detection through routine screening crucial,” said Dr Umesh Gupta, director, nephrology, Aakash Health- care, Delhi.
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are exacerbating the burden of CKD among Indians.
“The increasing prevalence of CKD is largely driven by PLAINER lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, diabetes, and hyper- tension. Diets high in processed foods, ex- cessive salt, and sugar contribute signifi- cantly to these conditions, placing individuals at a greater risk of kidney dis- ease,” she noted.
However, what makes CKD particularly insidious is its deep connection to other com- mon health conditions, including metabol- ic disorders driven by poor lifestyle choic- es. For most of patients, warning signs are always there, like uncontrolled hyperten- sion or occasional swelling in legs, but they never link them to kidney ailment.
In a discussion held last week by Inte- grated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Coun- cil and AstraZeneca, Dr Manisha Sahay, HOD of nephrology at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, said lifestyle disorders
“Uncontrolled blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, impair- ing their ability to filter waste. This is why nearly 30% of diabetic patients eventually develop kidney disease. CKD is primarily caused by diabetes and hypertension in In-
dia,” said Dr Reetesh Sharma, director & head, nephrology & kidney transplant medicine, Asian Hospital, Faridabad.
As CKD progresses, patients may require dialysis to remove waste build-up in the blood. While dialysis helps improve quality of life, experts argue that it is not a cure. The illness demands early detection and significant lifestyle adjustments.
Dr Ranjan Sarkar, senior nephrologist at Manipal Hospital, Kolkata, emphasized the importance of routine screenings and proactive management to prevent CKD from reaching an advanced stage. “By the time kidney disease reaches a critical point, treatment options like dialysis or transplantation become necessary, both of which come with significant finan- cial, medical, and lifestyle challenges. Regular blood pressure monitoring, adherence to prescribed treatments, and routine kidney function tests – such as eGFR, creatinine levels, and urine albumin-creatinine ratio are essential in detecting CKD early. Early intervention not only helps slow disease progression, but also reduces the risk of severe complications, improving long-term health outcomes.”
While effective treatments for CKD exist, many patients in rural regions struggle to access them due to a lack of nearby health- care facilities and specialists. The financial burden of travelling long distances for treatment often leads to delays or discon- tinuation of care, worsening the disease over time.
The journal’s findings also highlighted a significant rural-urban disparity, with CKD affecting 15.34% of the rural popula- tion compared to 10.65% in urban areas.
“Tele-consultation through the hub-and- spoke model has the potential to make a huge difference by connecting patients with specialists without requiring exten- sive travel.
However, to truly address the CKD crisis, efforts must focus on both prevention and treatment. Strengthening PHCs with well- trained personnel and better diagnostic facilities is essential to bridging this gap,” Dr Sarkar added.