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Medical Author:

Pranay Kathuria, MD, FACP, FASN

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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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.