Mortality trend for kidney disease over three decades in Italy: a dynamic population study

BACKGROUND: Kidney diseases are on the rise and currently affect around 10% of the world population, with high mortality being reported. Available data on kidney disease-related mortality is provided by the Global Burden of Disease, and is based on inferences from several sources. The study aimed to measure highly reliable, real-world data in the Italian population on the trend of kidney disease mortality and to compare them with other chronic diseases. METHODS: This dynamic population study focusing on mortality was based on data of all Italian residents. Kidney disease mortality was measured for each year from 1992 to 2019 using the National Causes of Death Register. Mortality trend was estimated by the annual percentage changes, while joinpoint-jump models were applied to analyze changes in mortality trends. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2019, the age-standardized mortality rate related to kidney disease increased by 12.6%; annual percentage changes increased by 0.57% (in females) and 0.93% (in males) due to a sharp rise in the 85 + year age class. The mortality increase in the elderly was observed also for males with hypertension and diabetes but not for other chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney disease mortality has increased over time, unlike other chronic diseases. These highly reliable, real-world data findings enhance the awareness of kidney disease mortality and allow to plan public prevention programs aimed to reduce its impact, in particular for the elderly and patients for whom kidney disease is a comorbidity linked to the leading causes of death, such as cardiovascular conditions.