What is the estimated prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the adult population?

The estimated prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the adult population is approximately 15%. This statistic reflects the significant public health issue posed by CKD, which affects a large number of individuals worldwide. Various studies and large-scale health surveys have provided estimates indicating that around 14-16% of adults in many countries exhibit some degree of CKD, underscoring its commonality.

Understanding the prevalence of CKD is crucial for healthcare providers, especially for those specializing in renal nutrition, as it highlights the need for awareness, screening, and early intervention in at-risk populations. CKD often goes undiagnosed in its early stages until significant kidney damage has occurred, making education about this condition all the more important within the healthcare community.

While lower estimates, such as 5% or 10%, do exist, they do not accurately capture the broader epidemiological data on CKD. The higher values, like 20%, may tend to overestimate prevalence, especially since the condition's risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension, have become more prevalent in modern societies, and early-stage CKD may be more common than previously recognized. Thus, the figure of approximately 15% provides a better representation of the reality of CKD in the