Which condition is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease?

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This condition leads to kidney damage through a process called diabetic nephropathy, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels that can injure the blood vessels in the kidneys over time. The progression of kidney damage in diabetes often results from a combination of factors including hypertension, hyperglycemia, and changes in lipid metabolism.

As diabetes mellitus progresses, it can lead to conditions such as nephrosclerosis, where the filtering units of the kidneys get progressively damaged, ultimately reducing the kidneys’ ability to function properly. The strong link between uncontrolled diabetes and kidney disease highlights the need for effective management of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients to prevent CKD.

While hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease are also significant contributors to chronic kidney disease, diabetes remains the leading cause due to the high prevalence of diabetes in the general population and its established role in kidney injury.