Chronic Kidney Disease Prevalence and Awareness Among US Adults

Importance Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and often coexists with cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objectives To evaluate CKD prevalence and awareness among US adults overall and in those with cardiometabolic risk factors or CVD. Design, Setting, and Participants This serial cross-sectional study was conducted among US adults aged 20 years or older participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and March 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were prevalence of CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or urine albumin to creatinine ratio of 30 mg/g or greater, and awareness, based on self-report of a “yes” response to the question “Ever told you had weak/failing kidneys?” among all US adults and those with cardiometabolic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity) or CVD. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were also fit to determine temporal changes in prevalence over the study period. Results This cross-sectional study included 24 646 adults (weighted mean age, 49 years; 48.4% female), including 20 224 adults with cardiometabolic risk factors or CVD. The overall prevalence of CKD among US adults was 14.6% (95% CI, 14.0%-15.3%), and only 12.3% (95% CI, 11.1%-13.5%) were aware of “weak/failing” kidneys. Among adults with cardiometabolic risk factors or CVD, CKD prevalence was 16.7% (95% CI, 16.0%-17.4%). Awareness of “weak/failing” kidneys was low in this population—only 13.2% (95% CI, 11.9%-14.4%) were aware of their diagnosis over the study period, and the largest awareness gaps occurred among those aged 20 to 64 years, women, and Hispanic adults. Although awareness among adults with CKD and cardiometabolic conditions increased modestly, from 11.5% (95% CI, 8.5%-14.5%) in 2011-2012 to 15.1% (95% CI, 13.1%-17.2%) in 2017 through March 2020 ( P = .02), these gains were concentrated among older adults aged 65 years or older (10.8%; 95% CI, 6.9%-14.6% to 17.7%; 95% CI, 14.2%-21.3%), men (9.7%; 95% CI, 5.6%-13.8% to 18.4%; 95% CI, 15.5%-21.4%), and non-Hispanic White adults (10.8%; 95% CI, 6.1%-15.5% to 16.3%; 95% CI, 13.4%-19.2%). No significant improvements in awareness were observed among younger adults aged 20 to 64 years, women, or Black and Hispanic adults. Conclusions and Relevance In this nationally representative study, CKD affected 1 in 6 US adults with cardiometabolic conditions, and only a minority of respondents were aware of “weak/failing” kidneys. These findings underscore a significant opportunity to promote awareness and optimal management of CKD.