Prevalence Of CKD Among Adults in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

RATIONALE p<0.001), with higher prevalence in Western Africa compared to Southern Africa. Estimates using aggregated data (AD) and individual participant data (IPD) were consistent. LIMITATIONS: Variations in the quality of the study data and substantial heterogeneity in prevalence estimates. Lack of assessment of chronic CKD. Reliance on AD for 55% of the sample. Gaps in geographic representation may limit the generalizability of findings. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 14% of African adults had CKD, highlighting its public health burden. The precision of this finding was augmented by the use of IPD. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a long-term condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and fluids from the blood, is an increasing health problem in Africa, but prevalence data have been limited. Previous studies relied on only summaries of studies' data. This analysis combined individual-level and summary data from multiple African countries to provide a more accurate and precise estimate of CKD prevalence. It found that CKD affects a substantial proportion of adults, with rates varying across regions. These findings highlight the potential value of early detection given the availability of effective clinical strategies to manage CKD.