Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and impaired kidney function are becoming serious public health issues in India, and Telangana faces kidney health crisis. According to recent data, approximately 7.4% of adults in Telangana have impaired kidney function (IKF), more than twice the national average of about 3.2 percent.
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What is “Impaired Kidney Function” / CKD
- A lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and/or signs of kidney damage (such as albuminuria) that last for three months or longer are frequently referred to as “impaired kidney function.”
- The widely used staging system for CKD is:
| Stage | eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²) approx | Description |
| 1 | ≥ 90 + kidney damage | Normal or high filtration but evidence of damage |
| 2 | 60–89 + kidney damage | Mild reduction |
| 3a | 45–59 | Mild-moderate reduction |
| 3b | 30–44 | Moderate-to-severe reduction |
| 4 | 15–29 | Severe reduction |
| 5 | < 15 or dialysis/transplant | Kidney failure / end-stage renal disease (ESRD) |
Telangana Faces Kidney Health Crisis: Why it matters
• The kidneys create hormones, control blood pressure, filter waste, and preserve fluid and electrolyte balance. Numerous systems are impacted when they malfunction.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, anemia, bone-mineral disorders, infection, and dialysis or transplantation. • Screening and early detection are crucial because early stages are asymptomatic, which lowers awareness
How big is the problem in Telangana/India?
India-wide
• The prevalence of impaired kidney function (IKF) varied by state, according to a pan-India ICMR–INDIAB study. The highest prevalence (~7.4) was found in Telangana and Goa.
• As of a 2023 report, some nephrologists estimate that the burden of CKD in India may impact approximately 17% of the population (although methodology varies).
Telangana Faces Kidney Health Crisis:
- The ICMR study found that the prevalence of IKF in Telangana was approximately 7.4%.
- According to one news report, “nearly 1 in 14 adults” in Telangana have impaired kidney function, or 1/14 ≈ 7.1%. (However, before publishing, double-check the precise wording.)
- According to reports, there is an increasing need for treatment. For instance, kidney-related treatments are the top category under the state’s health insurance program (Rajiv Aarogyasri Scheme).
Research in some tribal/agricultural areas revealed that 8% of tribal children in Utnoor (Adilabad district) had renal dysfunction, though the causes varied (CKD of unknown aetiology).
Why is Telangana showing high prevalence? (Risk factors & local context)
Major risk factors
- • Diabetes mellitus: The kidney filtration units (glomeruli) are harmed by high blood sugar.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure damages kidney blood vessels over time. According to reports, about 12 lakh people in Telangana have diabetes, and about 25 lakh have hypertension.
- The indirect but worsening burden of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia.
- NSAID/painkiller use, self-medication, and unmonitored herbal/ayurvedic drug use: several reports indicate that these practices exacerbate kidney damage in rural Telangana.
Environmental and occupational exposures: Local reports mentioned agrochemicals, heat stress, dehydration (particularly in outdoor workers), contaminated water, and excessive salt consumption.
Telangana Faces Kidney Health Crisis‐specific/contextual factors
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming more prevalent in both urban and rural areas. Similar burdens in rural and urban areas are suggested by the ICMR data.
• Late detection: Awareness and screening may not be at their best, and many people may not become aware until it is too late.
• The combination of a hot climate and outdoor labor (construction, agriculture) may raise the risk of heat stress kidney injury, and dehydration. • Demands for infrastructure: The increase in dialysis demand suggests a growing unidentified burden.
Conclusion: Telangana Faces Kidney Health Crisis
Nearly 1 in 14 adults in Telangana have impaired kidney function, which is a serious public health concern. It demonstrates that kidney disease is no longer a silent problem; rather, it is subtly affecting people of all ages in both rural and urban areas. Diabetes, high blood pressure, self-medication, heat stress, and unhealthy lifestyles are the primary causes of this increase, and they can all be avoided or controlled with education and routine checkups.
Telangana can slow down this spreading epidemic and safeguard the health of future generations if it takes immediate action. This includes encouraging early testing, improving healthcare access, and promoting kidney-friendly behaviors
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