What is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in adults?

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. The relationship between diabetes and kidney damage is well-established, primarily due to the effects of hyperglycemia on the kidneys. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to glomerulosclerosis, which is the scarring of the kidney's filtering units, known as glomeruli. This damage impairs renal function and can eventually lead to end-stage renal disease.

Additionally, diabetes can also be associated with hypertension, which further exacerbates kidney damage. However, while hypertension is a significant contributor to CKD, it is often a secondary complication resulting from diabetes rather than an independent primary cause.

Apart from diabetes, other causes of chronic kidney disease include glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease. Glomerulonephritis refers to a range of conditions that cause inflammation and damage to the kidney's filtering units, but its prevalence as a cause of CKD is lower compared to that associated with diabetes. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition that leads to the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys, but it is less common in the general population compared to the high incidence of diabetes-related kidney damage. Thus