Chronic Kidney Disease in China: Addressing the Burden With Innovative Strategies and Global Insights

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health concern, increasing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prevalence and risks of cardiovascular events and mortality. Approximately 82 million adults in China are affected by CKD, with highly prevalent and poorly controlled comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Novel agents have been approved for clinical use in China such as non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (nsMRAs) like finerenone and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) provide dual 'cardiorenal' protection, slowing kidney disease progression through anti-inflammatory or metabolic modulation. This special issue of China features five representative studies on key CKD questions, covering endothelial dysfunction mechanisms, early detection of tubular injury in diabetic kidney disease, real-world efficacy of finerenone, and clinical advances in multi-target therapies. These studies collectively underscore China's contributions to advancing CKD research and improving patient management globally.