The Metabolic Syndrome and Kidney Disease

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome are increasing worldwide and reaching epidemic proportions in industrialised and developing countries. Obesity is the major driver of type 2 diabetes and it is the phenotypic hallmark of the metabolic syndrome. The global increasing prevalence of obesity has to a large extent mirrored the increase in cardiovascular diseases as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). End-stage renal disease is a devastating condition not only for the patient but also imposes a huge economic demand on the society. Several multiethnic societies have reported a higher prevalence of CKD and ESRD in blacks compared to whites or individuals of other ethnic groups and data from renal registries often reveal hypertension as a cause of ESRD in blacks. Reasons given for this include misdiagnosis, socioeconomic status, poor access to health care and genetic differences, however, the worldwide increasing prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome may contribute significantly to the high prevalence of CKD and ESRD seen in black Africans.