Chronic Kidney Disease is on the Rise
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Abstract
Because of the increasing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and other risk factors, the burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide. Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 10% of the world’s adult population (1). Several conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease and glomerulonephritis are known to cause Chronic Renal Disease. In low-income countries, besides the above known causes, glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis are the cause for most cases of chronic kidney disease because of the high prevalence of infections. In Africa, Streptococcal infections, hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV are important causes of CKD (2). Despite these conditions, which are known to induce CKD, the etiology of CKD remains uncertain in most affected individuals, which deters research about how to prevent, mitigate, and cure CKD. Knowledge on the mechanisms leading to progressive loss of kidney function and its complications is also inadequate.