Key result
The pooled prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Latin America was 17.14% (95% CI 13.40-21.23%), with higher rates observed in older adults (28.29%) compared to younger adults (11.66%).
Meta-Analysis (n=72,486)
Yes
The pooled prevalence of CKD in Latin America is 17.14%, with significantly higher rates in older adults and women, highlighting a substantial regional health burden.
Highlights substantial CKD burden in Latin America, especially in older adults; extends regional estimates and supports age-targeted prevention research.
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a global health concern, with particular significance in Latin America due to socioeconomic inequalities and heterogeneous health care systems. Objective: To determine the prevalence of CKD in Latin American populations through a systematic review with meta-analysis. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies following the PRISMA guidelines. Setting: Twelve Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru). Patients: A total of 72 486 participants from 21 observational studies reporting CKD prevalence in Latin American populations. Measurements: The CKD prevalence according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) or Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) criteria, stratified by age groups (<60-65 vs ≥60-65 years), sex, CKD categories (G1-G5), and country. Methods: Systematic search in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. Observational studies using standardized CKD diagnostic criteria were included without language restrictions. A meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models with a Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. The risk of bias was assessed using the Munn et al tool. Meta-regressions examined temporal trends and the effects of sample size. Results: The pooled CKD prevalence was 17.14% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 13.40-21.23%) with high heterogeneity (I 2 = 99.5%). Age-stratified analysis revealed a prevalence of 11.66% (95% CI = 8.09%-15.79%) in younger adults and 28.29% (95% CI = 22.34%-34.64%) in older adults. Women showed a higher prevalence (19.23%) compared to men (16.75%). Country-specific estimates ranged from 7.26% in Ecuador to 27.14% in Haiti. Meta-regression showed no significant temporal trend ( P = .178). Limitations: High between-study heterogeneity, most studies used single measurements rather than confirming chronicity, potential publication bias favoring higher prevalence studies, and limited representation from certain countries, which restricts generalizability. Conclusions: The prevalence of CKD in Latin America exhibits marked age-related differences, with consistently higher rates in older adults. These findings support the need for age-specific prevention strategies and standardized diagnostic approaches across the region. Trial registration: Not registered prospectively (limitation acknowledged).
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Vera-Ponce et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in Chronic kidney disease (n=72,486). Latin American population was evaluated on Pooled CKD prevalence (95% CI 13.40-21.23). The pooled prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Latin America was 17.14% (95% CI 13.40-21.23%), with higher rates observed in older adults (28.29%) compared to younger adults (11.66%).
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