Previous studies have indicated that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes are not equally distributed across the United States. However, these investigations have not provided insight into different regional variations across the country. From 2013 to 2018, Bayer LLC conducted a study to learn more about the variations and found concerns in one particular area of the United States. 

What The Researchers Did

Using the MarketScan database, researchers at Bayer LLC identified patients with CKD in the United States. The database also showed subgroups of patients with and without diabetes. 

Next, researchers used geo-mapping and created a graphic to illustrate the state-level data of CKD prevalence from 2013 to 2018. After further analysis, they determined geographic differences in CKD prevalence over time. 

What They Found

Researchers demonstrated that CKD prevalence was higher among states in the Southeast region of the United States. 

Between 2013 and 2018, low-low clusters, “in which a state has a low CKD prevalence, and the surrounding states have a below-average CKD prevalence,” were identified in the Northwest. Regardless of type 2 diabetes status, the Southeast region of the U.S. showed high-high clusters of CKD in more recent years.

Researchers added that the higher prevalence of CKD in the Southeast could be related to the aging of the population and the increased burden of risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

What it Means

It is clear to researchers the Southeast United States is facing more of a burden of CKD and other chronic illnesses. Rakesh Singh, Ph.D. from Bayer LLC, believes more research needs to be conducted to learn about regional differences in possible CKD predictors and variations of commercial and Medicare distributions among regions.

“Regional disparities appear increasingly magnified, with a continually increasing prevalence in the Southeastern region of the United States, in contrast with a consistently lower prevalence in the Northwest region of the country, from 2013 to 2018. This finding highlights the potential need for CKD care improvement in high-prevalence states, especially because these regions also tend to have a higher prevalence of other chronic conditions that contribute to a high healthcare burden,” Singh and his colleagues wrote.

*Keenan, J. (2022, February 2). Geographic disparities in CKD rate found among patients with, without type 2 diabetes. Healio. https://www.healio.com/news/nephrology/20220202/geographic-disparities-in-ckd-rate-found-among-patients-with-without-type-2-diabetes