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Research
Strategy to Expand HVHDF WorldwideExpanding High-Volume Hemodiafiltration Worldwide
World Kidney Day
It is projected that chronic kidney disease (CKD) will rise to be the 5th leading cause of death by 2040.¹ More than 1 in 10 people are affected by some stage of CKD worldwide2-4 and 9 in 10 adults do not realize they have CKD in its early stages (asymptomatic).5
This March, on World Kidney Day and U.S. National Kidney Month, Fresenius Medical Care, a leader in kidney care, reinforces our commitment and social responsibility to raising awareness and educating about CKD, a progressive loss of the kidney’s ability to filter blood, affecting how the body eliminates toxins. We encourage everyone to ask the question: “Are your kidneys ok?”
Prevention begins with you. Discover four simple actions to protect your kidney health and life.
1: Learn about the risk factors
Diabetes and hypertension are major causes and risk factors for developing CKD: 1 in 3 adults with diabetes and 1 in 5 adults with hypertension will develop the disease.4,5 Other risk factors include genetics, family history, age, ethnicity, obesity, smoking, and heart disease.6-9
Click here to do a simple one-minute risk assessment from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), which is available in 27 languages. Please note that this risk assessment does not replace a proper medical assessment by a medical practitioner. You always need to seek professional medical advice for that.
2: Know the warning signs
CKD is typically asymptomatic in the early stages of the disease, and symptoms progressively worsen in its advanced stages.5 Be aware of the most prevalent symptoms such as fatigue, poor mobility, bone/ joint pain, and drowsiness - your kidneys might be calling for help.10 If detected in its initial stages, the deterioration of kidney function can be slowed or delayed.
3: Embrace a healthier lifestyle
Eat a healthy diet, stay active, get adequate sleep, and limit alcohol consumption.10,11
4: Get regular check-ups
Early detection can save lives. Prioritize and have kidney screening done routinely – simple laboratory tests, such as urine and blood tests, are used to check kidney function.13
Consider speaking with a clinician about your kidney health and receiving personalized guidance on screening options that best fit your needs.
Practical guide to speaking with your clinician about kidney health
Click here for a practical guide that equips you to ask the right questions and stay ahead of CKD progression. This is an important step, especially if you have diabetes or hypertension, the two main risk factors for developing CKD.4,5
Test your knowledge today to master your kidney health
The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.
Publication date: March 2025
1 Foreman KJ, Marquez N, Dolgert A, et al. Forecasting life expectancy, years of life lost, and all- cause and cause-specific mortality for 250 causes of death: reference and alternative scenarios for 2016-40 for 195 countries and territories. Lancet. 2018;392(10159):2052-2090. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31694-5
2 Kovesdy CP. Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease: an update 2022. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2022;12(1):7-11. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2021.11.003.
3 GBD Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration. Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2020;395(10225):709-733. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30045-3
4 Hill NR, Fatoba ST, Oke JL, et al. Global Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0158765. Published 2016 Jul 6. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158765
5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services
6 Kim K CJLCNHAALJ. Epidemiology of Diabetic Kidney Disease among US Veterans. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2024;17:1585-1596.
7 Francis A, Harhay MN, Ong ACM, et al. Chronic kidney disease and the global public health agenda: an international consensus. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2024;20(7):473-485. doi:10.1038/s41581- 024-00820-6
8 American Kidney Fund. Risk factors for kidney disease. Updated 2024. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/risk-factors#:~:text=Using%20tobacco%20can%20also%20cause,kidney%20disease%20from%20getting%20worse
9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Updated April 3, 2023. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/risk-factors/index.html
10 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2024;105(4S): S117–S314.
11 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Updated February 2021. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/prevention
12 B Kelly JT, Su G, Zhang L, et al. Modifiable Lifestyle Factors for Primary Prevention of CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021;32(1):239-253. doi:10.1681/ASN.2020030384
13 World Kidney Day. About Kidney Health: What is Chronic Kidney Disease? Diagnosis. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.worldkidneyday.org/about-kidney-health/