Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an increasing challenge for global health, with marked differences in its impact across various countries and regions. This research focused on evaluating the patterns in CKD incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) spanning the period from 1990 to 2019, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study. A thorough investigation was carried out to assess the global as well as age-standardized rates of CKD incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs over three decades. The study also examined how healthcare access and quality (HAQ) and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) relate to CKD outcomes. Moreover, six key risk factors closely tied to CKD were analyzed in detail to support evidence-based recommendations for better CKD management. In 2019, the total number of CKD cases reached 18,986,903, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence of 1.82 (95 percent CI = 1.8 to 1.82) since 1990. The age-standardized incidence rate climbed from 192.45 per 100,000 in 1990 to 233.65 per 100,000 in 2019. Similarly, prevalence grew to 69,729,430 cases, accompanied by an AAPC of 1.19 (95 percent CI = 1.19 to 1.2). Corresponding rises were observed in mortality and DALYs, with mortality rates reaching 18.29 per 100,000 and total DALYs at 41,538,592 in 2019. The data revealed that regions with higher HAQ scores experienced better outcomes, indicated by lower mortality and DALYs, while lower HAQ scores were associated with adverse outcomes. High fasting plasma glucose and elevated systolic blood pressure emerged as the leading contributors to CKD-related deaths, and their population attributable fraction (PAF) declined substantially as SDI decreased. The global burden of CKD has markedly intensified over the past thirty years, influenced by demographic changes and disparities in healthcare quality and availability. Addressing these gaps through effective public health policies and improvements in healthcare delivery is crucial for reducing the uneven distribution of CKD outcomes worldwide.
