Highlights• New research indicates that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States has stabilized overall.• Analysis of the latest NHANES data is consistent with the recent plateau in the number of new patients with end-stage renal disease.• The study indicates the need for continued efforts to protect Americans’ kidney health and will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015 November 3–8 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
More than 20 million Americans have kidney disease, the 9th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Newswise — San Diego, CA (November 7, 2015) — The numbers of Americans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has stabilized over the past decade, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015 November 3–8 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
The recent plateau in the number of new cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States prompted researchers led by Chi-yuan Hsu, MD, and Neil Powe, MD, FASN (University of California, San Francisco) to determine if CKD prevalence mirrored this trend. “CKD has been recognized as a major public health problem, associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and financial costs to the healthcare system,” said Hsu, “which is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2020 initiative set a target of 10% reduction in CKD prevalence in the U.S. population.”
The authors, including researchers from the University of Michigan and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) data from the years 2003–2004 and 2011–2012. Overall CKD prevalence was calculated, as well as prevalence stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and diabetic status.
“Our analysis of the most recent national data showed that the prevalence of stage 3–4 CKD in the United States has stabilized or decreased since the mid 2000’s,” said Hsu. Similar trends were observed when the CKD definition was expanded to include individuals with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, an indicator of kidney function) ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2 but with a one-time urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) of ≥30 mg/g.
The observations dovetail with updated US Renal Data System data showing ESRD incidence (number of new ESRD cases per million) has plateaued in recent years, Hsu added. He noted the encouraging trends may reflect that advances in CKD care—for example, improved glycemic control for people with diabetes and renin-angiotensin system blockade among patients with proteinuria—are having a positive impact at a population level.
While Hsu noted that further research is needed to fully understand the causes, he emphasized that “nephrologists should take justifiable credit and pride in these impressive public health gains.”
Study: “Overall CKD Prevalence in the U.S. Has Stabilized in Recent Years” (Abstract SA-PO685)
Disclosures: Jennifer L. Bragg-Gresham is a consultant for IMPAQ International. Meda E. Pavkov is a member of the KHI Board of Directors. Rajiv Saran Current receives research funding from Renal Research Institute, Forest Research Institute, and Arbor Research Collaborative for Health; and is a member of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (Scientific Advisory Board). Neil R. Powe receives research funding and honoraria from PCORI, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation, ABIM, Vanderbilt University, and Healthwise; and is a scientific advisor for Annals of Internal Medicine, PCORI, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation, ABIM, Vanderbilt University, and Healthwise. Chi-yuan Hsu receives honoraria from Satellite Healthcare; royalties from UpToDate; and is on the Satellite Healthcare Scientific Advisory Board and Medical Policy Committee.
The authors acknowledge receiving research funding from the NIDDK and the Department of Defense.
ASN Kidney Week 2015, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for more than 13,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in kidney health research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2015 will take place November 3–8, 2015, in San Diego, CA.
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Founded in 1966, and with nearly 16,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.# # #
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