A major global study reveals a significant rise in chronic kidney disease (CKD) among women worldwide. The number of women living with the condition nearly doubled from approximately 188 million in 1990 to 359 million in 2021. This first-ever global analysis focused specifically on CKD in women highlights a growing and changing health threat.The findings were published in the Chinese Medical Journal on June 1, 2026.Another analysis, drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, will also be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024.[news-medical+4]
Rising Toll on Women's Health
The study, led by Professor Lin Sun and Professor Zhifeng Sheng from The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, detailed a stark increase in the disease's impact.Between 1990 and 2021, deaths from CKD in women climbed by 180.89%.Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a measure combining years lost to premature death and years lived with disability, also increased by 114.00%.These figures, even after accounting for population growth and aging, show a continuous upward trend in the severity of the disease.[news-medical+7]
Postmenopausal women, those aged 50 years and older, carry the heaviest burden. In 2021, this group accounted for nearly 90% of CKD-related deaths and about 73% of DALYs among women.Their age-standardized mortality rate was 64.03 per 100,000, and their DALY rate was 1,493.31 per 100,000, both rising over the 32-year period.[news-medical+2]
Women of reproductive age, between 15 and 49 years old, also show a concerning trend. Their prevalent cases of CKD increased by 64.01% from 1990 to 2021.This group was unique in seeing its age-standardized prevalence rate continue to climb, with an average annual percentage change of 0.13%.This indicates that the rise is more than just population growth.[news-medical+4]
Metabolic Factors Drive Disease Surge
The study points to metabolic conditions as key drivers behind the rising CKD burden in women. "Our analysis shows that the burden of CKD in women has not only grown, but has also transformed in character," explained Professor Lin Sun. "Metabolic drivers—diabetes, hypertension, and obesity—now shape the trajectory of the disease." Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure were identified as leading causes of CKD-related deaths in women.[news-medical+1]
Chronic kidney disease is often called a "silent killer" because it typically shows no clear symptoms until significant kidney damage has occurred. When kidney function worsens, toxins and excess fluid build up in the body. This can lead to serious complications beyond kidney failure, including increased risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.[asn-online+4]
Women face unique biological vulnerabilities that influence CKD. These include faster disease progression after menopause and intergenerational risks linked to pregnancy complications. Conditions like high blood pressure during pregnancy or eclampsia can increase the risk of kidney damage. Autoimmune diseases also contribute to higher rates of kidney disease in women.[bioengineer+2]
Global Disparities and Urgent Action
The global burden of CKD in women shows stark geographical differences. Women in low and low-middle sociodemographic regions carry the heaviest disease burden. In contrast, high-income North America experienced the fastest growth in CKD-related mortality. This highlights unequal access to care and varying risk factor profiles across different parts of the world.[news-medical+1]
Experts are calling for immediate action to address this growing health crisis. Hardik Dineshbhai Desai, a senior author of the analysis presented at ASN Kidney Week, stressed the need for interventions. "This calls for immediate policy interventions, targeted prevention programs, and investment in health care infrastructure to curb the rise of CKD, particularly in high-risk regions," Desai said. He added that "public awareness campaigns about the importance of early diagnosis, healthy lifestyles, and the management of underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension are critical."[asn-online+1]
A report from the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization, published in Kidney International in June 2025, also highlighted the need for better care for women with kidney disease. Dr.Christina Wyatt, co-chair of the KDIGO conference, noted that women face unique risks. "Women face unique risks related to kidney health, from higher rates of autoimmune kidney disease since adolescence to risks associated with CKD in pregnancy to the underdiagnosis of cardiovascular risks in postmenopausal years," Dr. Wyatt stated.[asn-online+2]
The KDIGO report advocates for early reproductive counseling, coordinated pregnancy care, and structured follow-up after childbirth. It also emphasizes the need for more inclusive clinical research and global equity in kidney and reproductive health services. Without swift action, the continued rise of CKD in women could overwhelm healthcare systems globally and lead to increased illness and death.[kdigo+2]
