Words by GOLD newsdesk
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is present in one in 10 adults, a recent study by AstraZeneca has found.
Published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, CaReMe CDK is one of the largest contemporary real-world evidence studies of CKD. It investigated the prevalence, outcome and cost of the disease in over 2.4 million patients across nine countries, spanning several continents.
The study also revealed that two out of three patients identified as having CKD were not diagnosed, placing them at a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, as well as increasing the burden on healthcare systems.
Professor Navdeep Tangri, Department of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, said: “The results highlight the considerable public health impact of CKD and the importance of early detection and disease management to improve patients’ lives and reduce healthcare costs.”
Chronic kidney disease is thought to be one of the most common diseases worldwide, affecting 850 million people. The contribution of CKD to global health burdens is increasing, as are the financial costs to healthcare systems. The diseases impact on both areas is set to rise in the years ahead.
Highlighting the importance of the study, Alexander de Giorgio-Miller, Senior Vice President, Global Medical, AstraZeneca, said: “Real world evidence studies like this are critical to build our understanding of the gaps in diagnosis and clinical care pathways, and to set ambitious quality standards to give patients better access to medicines with the potential to prevent disease progression, disability and premature death.”
