The burden of chronic kidney disease in Asia, 1990–2019: Examination of estimates from global burden of disease 2019 study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health issue, with Asia accounting for one of the highest CKD prevalence worldwide. This study examines the burden of CKD in Asian continent in the last three decades. Data and Methods: The estimates of age, sex and year wise burden of CKD for 49 countries in Asia for 1990 to 2019 were procured from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. Findings: In 2019, there were 9.8 million [9.0–10.6 million] new cases and 763 024 [696 050–823 829] deaths due to CKD in Asia. Between 1990 and 2019, CKD prevalence doubled from 202.4 million [186.5–219.1 million] to 431.2 [400.3–462.0 million]. Although age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of CKD increased from 170.6 [156.7–186.2] in 1990 to 206.3 [190.4–223.4] per 100 000 person‐years in 2019, the age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR) witnessed a modest reduction from 18.4/100 000 [17.0–20.1] to 17.3/100 000 [15.7–18.7]. In 2019, the ASIR spanned from 141.9/100 000 [126.2–159.2] in Tajikistan to 561.4/100 000 [524.6–598.6] in Saudi Arabia, and ASMR varied from 8.9/100 000 [7.2–9.8] in Japan to Saudi Arabia (52.9 [42.8–63.1]). Between 1990 and 2019, absolute count of CKD incident cases, deaths, prevalent cases and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) increased 100% or more in 48/49, 32/49, 43/49 and 23/49 countries, respectively. Interpretation: CKD is widespread in the Asian region, with an alarming burden in resource‐constrained countries. Strategies such as promoting awareness, screening among high‐risk individuals, provision of cost‐effective therapies, and increased healthcare coverage could help deal with the CKD epidemic in Asia. SUMMARY AT GLANCE: This study examines the temporal pattern of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 49 countries in Asia in the last three decades. In Asia, all‐age incident cases, prevalent cases, and death counts of CKD have more than doubled from 1990 to 2019. Age‐specific prevalence and incidence (both counts and rates) were higher in females, while age‐specific deaths and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) (both counts and rates) were higher in males. In all Asian countries, high systolic blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body‐mass index were the top three contributory risk factors to CKD DALYs and deaths in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]