Background

Trends in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important for health care policy and planning.

Objective

To update trends in CKD prevalence.

Design

Repeated cross-sectional study.

Setting

NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) for 1988 to 1994 and every 2 years from 1999 to 2012.

Participants

Adults aged 20 years or older.

Measurements

Chronic kidney disease (stages 3 and 4) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m2, estimated with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation from calibrated serum creatinine measurements. An expanded definition of CKD also included persons with an eGFR of at least 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and a 1-time urine albumin-creatinine ratio of at least 30 mg/g.

Results

The unadjusted prevalence of stage 3 and 4 CKD increased from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Since 2003 to 2004, however, the overall prevalence has largely stabilized (for example, 6.9% prevalence in 2003 to 2004 and in 2011 to 2012). There was little difference in adjusted prevalence of stage 3 and 4 CKD overall in 2003 to 2004 versus 2011 to 2012 after age, sex, race/ethnicity, and diabetes mellitus status were controlled for (P = 0.26). Lack of increase in CKD prevalence since the early 2000s was observed in most subgroups and with an expanded definition of CKD that included persons with higher eGFRs and albuminuria.

Limitation

Serum creatinine and albuminuria were measured only once in each person.

Conclusion

In a reversal of prior trends, there has been no appreciable increase in the prevalence of stage 3 and 4 CKD in the U.S. population overall during the most recent decade.

Primary funding source

American Society of Nephrology Foundation for Kidney Research Student Scholar Grant Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health.