[Survey] Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Complication Risks Does Not Improve – Over Half 'Completely Unaware'. While 88% Recognize Importance of Regular Checkups, Only About Half Would 'Definitely Visit a Doctor' When an Abnormality is Pointed Out

eHealth Clinic Shinjuku (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) conducted a survey on chronic kidney disease (CKD) awareness among 306 general consumers nationwide. Following last year's survey (2025), this is the second consecutive year, allowing for a comparative analysis of changes in awareness and behavior over one year.

Survey Result ①
As a result, CKD awareness remained almost flat, and the percentage of people who were 'completely unaware' of the risks of complications such as stroke and heart disease worsened from 48.4% to 51.3%. Particularly in their 40s, the rate was highest at 57.4%, indicating a continued serious lack of understanding among the working-age population.

On the other hand, the proportion of respondents who answered that regular checkups are 'important' or 'very important' rose from 84.7% to 88.2%. Furthermore, in a newly added question this year, only 50.3% of respondents said they would 'definitely visit a doctor' if an abnormality was pointed out during a regular checkup, highlighting a gap between knowledge and action.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to a condition where kidney function (GFR) falls below 60% of a healthy person's (GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m²), or where kidney abnormalities such as proteinuria persist. According to the CKD Clinical Practice Guidelines 2023, CKD is a national disease affecting approximately 14.8 million people in Japan, estimated to affect about 1 in 7 to 8 adults.

It is often called a 'silent killer' because it progresses with almost no symptoms in the early stages, and if it becomes severe, dialysis or kidney transplantation becomes necessary. It is also known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, directly impacting overall healthy life expectancy.

Key points for early detection of CKD are as follows:
- Check eGFR and urine protein at least once a year during regular checkups.
- If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, be mindful of blood pressure/blood sugar control and salt reduction.
- If an abnormality is pointed out, undergo a detailed examination at a nephrology department.

Global CKD Patient Numbers on the Rise
According to a study by the Mario Negri Institute in Italy, as of 2017, there were approximately 697.5 million CKD patients worldwide, with a prevalence rate of 9.1%, an increase of 29.3% compared to 1990. This study emphasizes 'the importance of CKD prevention and early treatment' as CKD increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and directly impacts global health and mortality.

Survey Overview
Survey Name: Awareness Survey on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Survey Period: March 2025 (1st) / May 2026 (2nd)
Survey Method: Anonymous online survey
Number of Respondents: 300 (1st, average age: approx. 42.4 years) / 306 (2nd, average age: approx. 40.1 years)

CKD Awareness Does Not Improve After One Year – 'Completely Unaware' of Complication Risks Expands to Majority
The percentage of respondents who said they 'know well' about CKD was almost flat, at 13.7% in 2025 and 14.1% in 2026. Combined with those who have 'heard of it' or are 'completely unaware', approximately 86% still do not have a sufficient understanding of the disease.

Survey Result ②
More serious is the lack of understanding of complication risks. The percentage of respondents who answered that they are 'completely unaware' of the risks of complications such as stroke and heart disease worsened from 48.4% in 2025 to 51.3%, exceeding half.

Looking at the 'completely unaware' rate by age group, it was highest among those in their 40s at 57.4% (up 8.9 points year-on-year), followed by those in their 20s and younger at 55.9% (up 8.8 points), showing a significant deterioration. On the other hand, it improved among those in their 50s to 37.8% (down 8.2 points), widening the awareness gap by age.

Survey Result ③
Furthermore, the percentage of respondents who were 'completely unaware' that high blood pressure and diabetes are related to CKD also worsened from 40.2% in 2025 to 43.8% in 2026, indicating that the need for integrated management with lifestyle-related diseases is not being adequately communicated.

Survey Result ④
Awareness of the Importance of Regular Checkups is Rising, But Not Leading to Action
The percentage of respondents who answered that regular checkups are 'very important' or 'important' for early detection and prevention of CKD rose from 84.7% in 2025 to 88.2%. In particular, the proportion who answered 'very important' increased significantly from 32.7% to 39.5%, showing a steady increase in awareness of regular checkups.

By age group, the 'very important' rate among those in their 20s and younger surged to 52.5% (up 26.0 points year-on-year), showing the most notable change in awareness among younger people.

Survey Result ⑤
On the other hand, the most common reason for not undergoing regular checkups was still 'cost' (45.4%), followed by 'lack of time' (19.5%) and 'anxiety about tests' (15.1%). Notably, among those in their 50s, the proportion who said 'I don't feel the need because I have no symptoms' increased to 23.3% (up 6.9 points year-on-year). Since CKD has almost no symptoms in its early stages, the perception that 'no symptoms mean no need for a checkup' can lead to missed opportunities for early detection.

Survey Result ⑥
Furthermore, in a newly added question this year asking about responses when an abnormality is pointed out during a regular checkup, only 50.3% answered 'definitely visit a doctor', while 48.4% said 'visit a doctor if symptoms appear'. By age group, those aged 60 and over had the highest rate of 'visit a doctor if symptoms appear' at 60.0%. This reveals that while people recognize the importance of regular checkups, about half would not visit a doctor if an abnormality is pointed out unless they have subjective symptoms.

Survey Result ⑦
Why Early Detection is Essential
The kidneys act as the body's filter, removing waste products and excess fluid. Once kidney function declines, it is difficult to recover, and as the disease progresses, patients are forced to undergo burdensome treatments such as dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Furthermore, CKD is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as the severity of infections, directly impacting overall healthy life expectancy. By checking eGFR (kidney function indicator) and urine protein during annual regular checkups, early signs of declining kidney function can be detected, allowing for prompt lifestyle improvements and medication therapy.

If You Know Regular Checkups are 'Important', It's Crucial to Act Now
This survey revealed that while over 88% recognize that 'regular checkups are important', about half of people would only visit a doctor after symptoms appear, even if an abnormality is pointed out. CKD has almost no subjective symptoms in its early stages, and an attitude of 'visiting a doctor only after symptoms appear' will lead to missed opportunities for early detection.

Annual health checkups are effective for the early detection of lifestyle-related diseases including CKD. If you are told you have 'proteinuria', 'hematuria', or 'elevated creatinine levels' during a regular checkup, please visit a medical institution promptly regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. eHealth Clinic Shinjuku has a chronic kidney disease outpatient clinic, providing comprehensive treatment including medication therapy, dietary therapy for blood pressure management, lipid management, blood sugar management, and lifestyle improvement. Please refer here for details.

If it is difficult to secure an opportunity for a checkup due to busyness or other reasons, please also utilize self-check using urine protein test strips available at pharmacies.

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