Key result
Sex differences in incident stage 3 CKD risk remain mixed, driven by methodological variability.
Why the study?
Chronic kidney disease progression has been shown to differ by sex, but findings across studies remain inconsistent.
Are there sex differences in the development of incident stage 3 CKD?
Are there sex differences in the development of incident stage 3 CKD?
This narrative review highlights that evidence on sex differences in incident stage 3 CKD remains mixed, emphasizing the need for standardized definitions and sex-stratified analyses in future research.
Mixed evidence on sex differences in stage 3 CKD incidence precludes risk stratification; leaves open need for standardized prospective analyses.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression has been shown to differ by sex, although findings across studies remain inconsistent. This narrative review examines evidence on sex differences in the development of stage 3 CKD, defined as incident estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m². A narrative literature search of PubMed was conducted to identify observational cohort studies evaluating sex-specific risk in CKD development. Findings varied by population characteristics and outcome definitions. Evidence regarding sex differences in incident stage 3 CKD is mixed, with some findings suggesting greater risk among women and others identifying male sex as a potential risk factor. Additionally, metabolic and lifestyle risk factors demonstrated sex-specific associations, with some exposures showing stronger effects in men or differing based on whether CKD was defined by eGFR decline or proteinuria. Overall, sex differences in CKD development appear to be influenced by methodological variability and population differences. Further research using standardized definitions and sex-stratified analyses is needed to clarify underlying biological and clinical mechanisms and inform sex-specific risk assessment and monitoring.
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Ahmed et al. (2026) conducted a review in Chronic kidney disease. Sex was evaluated on Incident stage 3 CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Sex differences in incident stage 3 chronic kidney disease risk remain mixed, with some studies showing greater risk in women and others in men, largely driven by methodological variability.
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