ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1122

A Silent Climb: Growing Toll of Low Physical Activity on CKD Mortality in High-Income Countries, 1990-2021

Session Information

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

  • 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

  • Shah, Dhruvil K., Western Reserve Health Education, Warren, Ohio, United States
  • Garlapati, Himaja Reddy, Government Medical College (RIMS) Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Bhatt, Manas, Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India
  • Zinzala, Hardik, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Jonelta Foundation School of Medicine, Las Pinas, Philippines
  • Desai, Hardik Dineshbhai, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, India
Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increasingly been linked to lifestyle-related factors, including low physical activity (LPA), especially in aging and urbanising high-income countries (HIC). However, region-specific patterns in this attributable burden remain poorly delineated.

Methods

We evaluated long-term changes in CKD mortality and disability burden attributable to LPA across HIC from 1990-2021, using standardized comprehensive global burden of disease study 2021. Trends in age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), DALYs, and YLDs were analyzed by country, region, sex, and age. We computed annualized percentage change (APC) and total percentage change (TPC) to assess temporal shifts.

Results

In 2021, high-income nations contributed 30.63% of global CKD deaths and 23.38% of DALYs attributable to LPA. APC in mortality was highest in North America (+4.86%), followed by Australasia (+4.34%), Asia Pacific (+3.90%), Western Europe (+3.08%), and Southern Latin America (+1.91%). Denmark (+3.44%), Austria (+3.41%), Sweden (+2.81%), and the U.S. (+2.7%) showed the sharpest national increases in ASMR. Mortality rose more in adults aged 20–54 (TPC: +115%) than in those 55+ (+81%), with similar patterns in DALYs (+75% vs +39%) and YLDs (+40% vs –3%). Female mortality increased more than male (ASMR TPC: 37% vs 27%; DALYs: 22% vs 16%).

Conclusion

CKD burden attributable to LPA has escalated substantially in HIC, particularly among younger adults and women. These findings emphasize the need for tailored, preventive physical activity strategies integrated into CKD and noncommunicable disease frameworks.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)