Is Climate Change Harming our Kidneys?

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent and is predicted to become the fifth highest cause of premature mortality globally by 2040. There are several risk factors for CKD and the environmental conditions play an important role on the development of kidney injury. Due to increasing use of earth’s natural resources and pollutants emissions, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. These events, such as hurricanes or floods, cause infectious diseases outbreaks that increase the risk of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. In addition, rising average temperatures and heat waves cause a higher incidence of acute kidney injury and nephrolithiasis. Patients with CKD are particularly prone to these events, with a special focus on patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. Mitigation plans are needed to reduce the effect of climate change on kidney health. Nephrologists have an important role in both reducing the environmental impact of nephrology and in preparing patients for the effect of climate changes on their diseases and for the accessibility problems to health institutions.