Overview
- The latest reviews released Aug. 19, 2026 report that up to half of chronic kidney disease cases go undiagnosed worldwide and that roughly 70% of cases may be undetected in Singapore.
- A global analysis found the number of women living with CKD rose from about 188 million in 1990 to 359 million in 2021, with deaths up more than 180% and DALYs up 114%.
- Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high body mass index now drive much of the increase in women’s CKD and impaired kidney function accounted for about 18.19 million cardiovascular DALYs in women in 2021.
- Authors and clinicians are calling for routine, targeted screening using simple urine protein and serum creatinine tests plus wider availability of kidney‑protective therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors.
- In Singapore the disease affects about 14.9% of adults with roughly six new diagnoses daily and marked ethnic gaps in kidney failure rates, underscoring missed prevention opportunities and the need for sex‑ and equity‑focused policies.