A simple and affordable urine test could significantly improve the early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a landmark series of papers published in The Lancet. Global experts are urging healthcare systems to prioritise routine kidney screening as millions of cases remain undiagnosed despite the availability of effective diagnostic tools and treatments.

The research highlights CKD as the world’s ninth leading cause of death, affecting an estimated 844 million adults globally. The disease is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040 if diagnosis and treatment rates do not improve.

The authors estimate that 30–50 per cent of CKD cases remain undiagnosed in high-income countries, with underdiagnosis believed to be even higher in low- and middle-income regions. The condition is often detected only after it has progressed because patients with mild or moderate CKD typically experience few or no symptoms. Researchers also note that women and people from non-white ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by delayed diagnosis.