How Common is Chronic Kidney Disease?
• Chronic kidney disease is a growing health problem in the United States. A report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determined that 16.8% of all adults above the age of 20 years have chronic kidney disease. Thus, one in six individuals has kidney disease. By disease stage, the prevalence is as follows: • stage 1, 3.1%; • stage 2, 4.1%; • stage 3, 7.6%; • stage 4; and • stage 5, 0.5%. • There are over 500,000 persons on dialysis or who have received kidney transplants. • The prevalence of chronic kidney disease has increased by 16% from the previous decade. The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and an aging population have contributed to this increase in kidney disease. • Chronic kidney disease is more prevalent among individuals above 60 years of age (39.4%). • Kidney disease is more common among Hispanic, African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Native American people.
