Global Study Warns of Alarming Rise in Chronic Kidney Disease Among Women

Surge in Cases and Mortality Rates Among Women

The number of women living with chronic kidney disease climbed from 188 million in 1990 to 359 million in 2021, representing an expansion in overall prevalence. Over that same span, deaths among women tied to the condition surged by 181%, while disability-adjusted life years rose by 114%. Researchers note that age-standardized mortality and disability rates continued climbing steadily, demonstrating that the growing severity outpaces general population growth and aging.

Postmenopausal and Reproductive-Age Vulnerabilities

The analysis isolates two distinct female populations facing unique biological and metabolic pressures:

• Postmenopausal women (aged 50 and older): This group accounts for nearly 90% of all female deaths related to chronic kidney disease and around 73% of disability-adjusted life years in 2021. Researchers point to the loss of hormonal protection following menopause and accelerated biological aging as key drivers.
• Women of reproductive age (aged 15 to 49): Prevalent cases in this younger cohort grew by 64%. Within this group, the disease burden linked to high body mass index more than doubled at 112.17%, while the impact from sugary beverages jumped by 132.97%.

Metabolic Drivers and Cardiovascular Impact

Metabolic conditions now dictate the progression of the disease in women. Type 2 diabetes-associated chronic kidney disease showed the largest increase in age-standardized mortality among all subtypes at 36.93%, while hypertensive nephropathy nearly doubled in prevalence. Fasting plasma glucose, high systolic blood pressure, and elevated body mass index emerged as primary risk factors across all age groups, with a combined impact twice as heavy in women over 50 compared to younger cohorts.

In 2021, kidney-related cardiovascular complications accounted for 18.19 million disability-adjusted life years among women. Ischemic heart disease drove nearly 60% of that total, followed by ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. Geographically, low and low-middle sociodemographic regions bore the heaviest overall burden, while North America experienced the fastest acceleration in mortality rates.

Proposed Medical Responses

To counter these trends, study authors Lin Sun and Zhifeng Sheng recommend establishing sex-disaggregated medical registries for chronic kidney disease, forming multidisciplinary cardio-renal clinical units, and shaping targeted public health policies focused explicitly on female renal health.