Diabetes is major cause of chronic kidney disease, review states

In a recent report published in the Lancet on the global dimensions of kidney disease, Professor Vivek Jha, Executive Director, George Institute India and other researchers, reported that diabetes is a major cause of this chronic illness.

Diabetes is responsible for at least one third of kidney disease in the US, Australia and Japan. The report also states that in some Asian countries, such as China and Taiwan, the use of weight loss medicines that contain aristolochic acid appear to influence the onset of end-stage kidney disease and urothelial malignant disease. Taiwan suffers the highest prevalence of end-stage kidney disease, with 2,500 cases per million of population. Other herbal supplements used on the continent and in Africa are also considered to be the cause of many cases of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is a growing problem globally, climbing up the global death league table from 27 in 1990 to 18 in 2010 and its prevalence is estimated to be 8 - 16% worldwide. The report also highlighted that the world’s poorest regions are most at risk, and awareness of the disorder remains low in many communities and among many physicians. It recommends that strategies aimed at reducing the burden and cost related to chronic kidney disease must be included in national programmes for non-communicable diseases.

Click here to read the report.