Global, Regional, and National Prevalence of Chronic Type 2 Diabetic Kidney Disease From 1990 to 2021: A Trend and Health Inequality Analyses Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

ABSTRACT Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a prevalent and severe complication of diabetes that significantly impacts global health and quality of life. Most DKD is attributable to type 2 diabetes; therefore, chronic type 2 DKD warrants further examination. Objective To deliver targeted assistance in alleviating the worldwide, regional, and national burden of chronic type 2 DKD, we executed a survey assessing the prevalence of chronic type 2 DKD utilizing the Global Burden of Disease, Injury, and Risk Factors (GBD) database. Methods We examined the temporal trends of chronic type 2 DKD prevalence over the past 30 years using the 2021 GBD database, analyzed the trends by population, epidemiological change, and aging, and quantified cross‐country health inequalities. Additionally, we forecasted the trend during the subsequent two decades. Results In 2021, there were over 107 million cases of chronic type 2 DKD globally, reflecting an 85.11% rise from 58 million cases in 1990. The age‐standardized rate (ASR) declined with an estimated annual percentage change of 0.17% per annum. Epidemiological change and population expansion are the primary factors influencing the alterations. The contributions of epidemiological change, population, and aging vary with alterations in the sociodemographic index (SDI). Significant health inequalities were observed across 204 countries and territories, with the slope index of inequality increasing over time. The forecast for the worldwide burden of chronic type 2 DKD from 2020 to 2040 suggests a significant rise in case numbers, while the alterations in ASR remain largely stable. Conclusions These findings indicate the significant disease burden of chronic type 2 DKD, necessitating more targeted and effective interventions for its prevention and management.