Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease attributable to low physical activity from 1990 to 2021: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundLow Physical Activity (LPA) is a recognized risk factor for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). However, there is currently a lack of research reports addressing the global burden of CKD attributable to LPA. MethodsWe systematically described the burden of CKD attributable to LPA globally, regionally, and nationally using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. We examined the distribution by age, sex, and time trends. Furthermore, we conducted analyses on cross-national inequalities and frontier analysis. Additionally, we analyzed the distribution of CKD attributable to LPA burden among CKD subtypes. ResultsBetween 1990 and 2021, the burden of CKD attributable to LPA significantly increased, reaching 40,918.47 deaths in 2021, with an age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 0.50 per 100,000 population, 913,068.96 DALYs, and an age-standardized DALYs (ASDR) of 10.81 per 100,000 population. Over the next decade, the global burden of CKD attributable to LPA is projected to continue to rise, with an estimated ASMR of 0.90 per 100,000 population and an ASDR of 11.56 per 100,000 population by 2031. The 85-89 age group had the highest number of deaths, while the 70-74 age group had the highest DALYs, with both ASMR and ASDR increasing with age. Inequalities in CKD burden attributable to LPA exist across different Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions, with the Middle SDI region bearing the heaviest burden, but opportunities to alleviate CKD burden exist at all SDI levels. Globally, the highest proportion of CKD attributable to LPA was in hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy. ConclusionsThe burden of CKD attributable to LPA is increasing worldwide and is expected to continue rising over the next decade. Inequalities in CKD burden attributable to LPA exist. Globally, the burden of CKD attributable to LPA is primarily distributed among type 2 diabetes and hypertensive nephropathy. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity in controlling CKD burden, especially targeting high-risk populations and regions.