Articles Vol. 67 No. CĐ11-NCKH 01/08/2026

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN YOUNG ADULTS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW IN 2025

Nguyen Pham Nhat Vi1,2, Dang Quoc Toan1,2
1 Vo Truong Toan University
2 Trường Đại học Võ Trường Toản
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD11.6089
50 Views
0 Downloads
Keywords
chronic kidney disease, young adults, epidemiology, risk factors.
Abstract

Objective: To summarize and update global data on the prevalence and risk factors of CKD in young adults up to 2025.

Subject and method: This narrative review included international studies published between 2015 and 2025 retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, focusing on individuals aged 18–39 years.

Results: The prevalence of CKD among young adults ranged from 3% to 6%, lower than in the general population (9–10%), and most cases were at early stages (stages 1–2). The burden was higher in Asia and Latin America. Major risk factors included metabolic disorders-particularly hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity-followed by glomerular diseases, genetic predisposition, chronic infections, and environmental or toxic exposures. Early-life factors such as prematurity and low birth weight also contributed to increased susceptibility to CKD.

Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease among young adults aged 18 to 39 years is approximately 3%–6%, with most cases occurring in the early stages (stages 1–2). The principal risk factors include metabolic disorders, particularly hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Other important contributors include glomerular diseases, genetic factors, chronic infections, and environmental or toxic exposures.

References
[1]
Bae EH, Lim SY, Jung JH, et al. Obesity, Abdominal Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease in Young Adults: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2021;10(5):1065. doi:10.3390/jcm10051065 Google Scholar
[2]
Bello AK, Okpechi IG, Levin A, et al. An update on the global disparities in kidney disease burden and care across world countries and regions. Lancet Glob Health. 2024;12(3):e382-e395. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00570-3. Google Scholar
[3]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Surveillance System. Updated 2021. Accessed October 15, 2025. https://nccd.cdc.gov/ckd/default.aspx. Google Scholar
[4]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of CKD stages among U.S. adults, 2003–March 2020, by age categories. Kidney Disease Surveillance System. Accessed March 21, 2026. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/KDSS/detail.aspx?Qnum=Q801. Google Scholar
[5]
Crump C, Sundquist J, Winkleby MA, Sundquist K. Preterm birth and risk of chronic kidney disease from childhood into mid-adulthood: national cohort study. BMJ. 2019;365:l1346. doi:10.1136/bmj.l1346 Google Scholar
[6]
Hill NR, Fatoba ST, Oke JL, et al. Global Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0158765. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158765. Google Scholar
[7]
Itoku A, Isaac J, Wilson S, Reidy K, Kaskel F. APOL1 Nephropathy Risk Variants Through the Life Course: A Review. Am J Kidney Dis. 2024;84(1):102-110. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.12.014 Google Scholar
[8]
Kovesdy CP. Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease: an update 2022. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2022;12(1):7-11. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2021.11.003. Google Scholar
[9]
Makmun A, Satirapoj B, Tuyen DG, et al. The burden of chronic kidney disease in Asia region: a review of the evidence, current challenges, and future directions. Kidney Res Clin Pract. 2025;44(3):411-433. doi:10.23876/j.krcp.23.194. Google Scholar
[10]
Mallamaci F, Tripepi G. Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease Progression: Between Old and New Concepts. J Clin Med. 2024;13(3):678. doi:10.3390/jcm13030678. Google Scholar
[11]
Nguyen TV, Pham TTX, Burns MJ, Nguyen TN. Frailty in Older Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease and Undergoing Chronic Haemodialysis in Vietnam. Diabetology. 2023; 4(3):312-322. doi: 10.3390/diabetology4030027. Google Scholar
[12]
Poudyal A, Karki KB, Shrestha N, et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in Nepal: evidence from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2022;12(3):e057509. Published 2022 Mar 21. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057509. Google Scholar
[13]
Sun P, Ming X, Song T, et al. Global burden of chronic kidney disease in adolescents and young adults, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1389342. Published 2024 Sep 18. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1389342. Google Scholar
[14]
Sorensen C, Garcia-Trabanino R. A New Era of Climate Medicine - Addressing Heat-Triggered Renal Disease. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(8):693-696. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1907859. Google Scholar
[15]
Tsur AM, Akavian I, Landau R, et al. Adolescent Body Mass Index and Early Chronic Kidney Disease in Young Adulthood. JAMA Pediatr. 2024;178(2):142-150. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.5420 Google Scholar
[16]
Wang L, Xu X, Zhang M, et al. Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in China: Results From the Sixth China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance. JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(4):298-310. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.6817. Google Scholar
[17]
Wang T, Pan R, Li C, Qin Y, Song C. A epidemiological trend of chronic kidney disease due to hypertension among adolescents and young adults: global burden and future 2035 projections. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1618416. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1618416. Google Scholar