Kidney disease: Kidney problems are increasing rapidly. Changing lifestyles are being blamed for this. Let us tell you about the situation in our neighboring countries.

Number of kidney patients in India

Kidney disease prevalence in India: Accurate figures on the burden of kidney disease are often unclear, especially in countries like India, where the challenges of communicable diseases are already present. However, global estimates suggest that approximately 800 to 850 million people worldwide, or 800 million to 850 million, are affected by some form of kidney disease.

According to DailyRounds, the situation in India is equally worrying. One in every 10 Indians is estimated to be affected by kidney disease. Furthermore, approximately 500,000 people require critical care like dialysis. Kidney disease is the eighth leading cause of death in India. According to a recent report published in The Lancet, approximately 138 million people in India suffer from chronic kidney disease. Let us tell you how many people suffer from this disease in India's neighboring countries.

What is the condition of India's neighboring countries?

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis by Shrestha et al. (2021, Frontiers in Medicine), the burden of CKD in major South Asian countries: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal is staggering. Countries bordering India are also equally affected. In Bangladesh, the prevalence of CKD is approximately 14 percent (ranging from 12 to 17 percent). Experts here point out that excessive salt intake, contaminated water, economic limitations, and a lack of healthcare facilities contribute to the disease. In rural areas, people often remain unaware of their kidneys' gradual decline for a long time.

In Pakistan, the prevalence of CKD is approximately 12 percent (range 11 to 14 percent). The rapid rise in diabetes, high consumption of processed foods, and delayed initiation of treatment in Pakistan contribute to the worsening of the situation. Studies show that access to healthcare is unequal, and many patients ignore early symptoms.

Nepal has the lowest number of patients.

Nepal has the lowest prevalence in South Asia, at around 6 percent (6 to 7 percent). While this number appears low, experts believe that many cases go unreported due to limited access to health checkups in Nepal. Limited medical facilities in Nepal's mountainous regions often result in cases being detected late. Furthermore, rising blood pressure and diabetes could increase this number in the future.