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.