Women and kidney disease: reflections on World Kidney Day 2018

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of the world's adult population: it is within the top 20 causes of death worldwide, and its impact on patients and their families can be devastating. World Kidney Day and International Women's Day in 2018 coincide, thus offering an opportunity to reflect on the importance of women's health, and specifically their kidney health, to the community and the next generations, as well as to strive to be more curious about the unique aspects of kidney disease in women, so that we may apply those learnings more broadly. Girls and women, who make up 50% of the world's population, are important contributors to society as a whole and to their families. Gender differences continue to exist around the world in access to education, medical care and participation in clinical studies. Pregnancy is a unique state for women, offering an opportunity for diagnosis of kidney disease, and also a state where acute and chronic kidney diseases may manifest, and which may impact future generations with respect to kidney health. There are various autoimmune and other conditions that are more likely to impact women with profound consequences for child bearing, and for the fetus. Women have different complications on dialysis than men, and are more likely to be donors than recipients of kidney transplants. In this editorial, we focus on what we do and do not know about women, kidney health and kidney disease, and what we might learn in the future to improve outcomes worldwide.

2019 World Kidney Day Editorial - burden, access, and disparities in kidney disease

“… 36 In low-income countries, food insecurity may lead to undernutrition and starvation, 37 , 38 which has implications for both the individual, and in the case of women of child-bearing age, could lead to their children having low birth weight and related sequelae, including CKD. 39 Rates of undernourishment are as high as 35% or more in countries such as Haiti, Namibia, and Zambia. 40 However, in high-income countries, food insecurity is associated with overnutrition , and food insecure persons have increased risk of overweight and obesity.…”

Burden, access, and disparities in kidney disease

“…People of low socioeconomic status often experience food insecurity (i.e., limited access to affordable nutritious foods), which is a risk factor for CKD26 and progression to kidney failure (27). In low-income countries, food insecurity may lead to undernutrition and starvation, which has implications for the individual and, in the case of women of child-bearing age, could lead to their children having low birth weight and related sequelae, including CKD (28). Rates of undernourishment are as high as 35% or more in countries such as Haiti, Namibia, and Zambia (29).…”

Burden, access and disparities in kidney disease

“…People of low socioeconomic status often experience food insecurity (i.e., limited access to affordable nutritious foods), which is a risk factor for CKD [ 29 ] and progression to kidney failure [ 30 ]. In low-income countries, food insecurity may lead to undernutrition and starvation, which has implications for the individual and, in the case of women of child-bearing age, could lead to their children having low birth weight and related sequelae, including CKD [ 31 ]. Rates of undernourishment are as high as 35% or more in countries such as Haiti, Namibia, and Zambia [ 32 ].…”