Abstract: TH-PO1044
CKD of Unknown Etiology (CKDu): Report from the Fourth International Workshop
Session Information
- CKD: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Other Conditions
November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Authors
- Strasma, Anna, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Gonzalez-Quiroz, Marvin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, United States
- Arroyo, Gerardo, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala Department, Guatemala
- Brooks, Daniel R., Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Caplin, Ben, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
- Courville, Karen, Caja de Seguro Social, Panama City, Panama
- Crowe, Jennifer, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
- Elinder, Carl-Gustaf, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
- Raines, Nathan H., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Sanchez Polo, Vicente, Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala Department, Guatemala
Group or Team Name
- Board of the Consortium for the Epidemic of Nephropathy in Central America and Mexico (CENCAM).
Background
Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a major public health crisis in Central America, marked by high morbidity and mortality. To tackle this issue, governments and public health authorities should collaborate with topic experts to design and implement effective education, prevention, and control strategies.
Methods
The Consortium for the Epidemic of Nephropathy in Central America and Mexico (CENCAM) collaborated with the Executive Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (SE-COMISCA), the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH), the Central American Program for Health, Work and Environment (SALTRA), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) to convene the Fourth International Workshop on CKDu in Guatemala in 2024. The workshop was designed to provide scientific evidence to support action in accordance with the public health program “Strategy for the Prevention, Mitigation, and Control of CKDu in Central America and the Dominican Republic”. Working groups focused on (1) the etiology of CKDu, (2) research approaches, and (3) applying evidence to public health actions.
Results
The workshop brought together 165 researchers from 19 countries, primarily from CKDu hotspot regions. There is still no simple answer to what “causes” CKDu, but several key risk factors are consistently identified, including poor social determinants of health and occupational heat stress. Studying CKDu requires collaboration across multiple disciplines, involving existing networks in public health, government, communities, and academia. These collaborative teams must assess disease burden and evaluate targeted interventions aimed at known risk factors using diverse methodological approaches.
Conclusion
This workshop advanced a coordinated region-wide response to CKDu. By aligning scientific evidence with public health priorities, it strengthened the scientific foundation for targeted education and interventions. Initiatives are currently in progress in several endemic countries, contributing to efforts to reduce the impact of CKDu and improve health outcomes across Central America.
Funding
- Private Foundation Support