July 6, 2024
kidney disease

Higher participation in Specific Health Checkups associated with lower prevalence of kidney disease

A recent study from Japan has found that there is a significant relationship between the participation rates in Specific Health Checkups (SHC) and the prevalence of kidney disease in different prefectures. The study utilized data from various sources to examine the impact of SHC participation rates on the incidence and prevalence of treated end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The findings highlight the importance of increasing SHC participation rates at the population level and encouraging regular health checkups.

The study used nationwide open data from five sources to analyze the relationship between SHC participation rates and kidney disease. It found that higher SHC participation rates were associated with lower incidence rates of treated ESKD and lower prevalence of CKD in different prefectures. This suggests that individuals who actively participate in SHC have a reduced risk of developing kidney disease.

Furthermore, the study revealed that SHC participation rates had a direct negative effect on the prevalence of CKD and the incidence of treated ESKD. Additionally, the ratio of nephrology specialists had an indirect negative effect on the incidence of treated ESKD through SHC participation rates. This means that regions with a higher ratio of nephrology specialists had lower incidence rates of treated ESKD, likely due to a greater emphasis on preventive healthcare practices.

The findings of the study explain 14% of the variance in the incidence rates of treated ESKD among different prefectures. This suggests that SHC participation rates can partially explain the regional variation in the incidence of treated ESKD. Therefore, increasing SHC participation rates may contribute to reducing the burden of kidney disease in specific regions.

These findings align with a previous study called the Neyagawa Health Checkups and Health Care in Kokuho Database study. This study also highlighted the benefits of health checkups, particularly for men aged 75 years and above. It found that individuals who did not attend health checkups and undergo kidney tests were at a significantly higher risk of developing treated ESKD. These findings further emphasize the importance of promoting SHC participation and regular health checkups.

Dr. Wakasugi, one of the researchers involved in the study, emphasized the significance of their findings. The study provides evidence to support the importance of increasing SHC participation rates at a population level. Encouraging people to undergo regular health checkups, particularly kidney tests, can help in the early detection and prevention of kidney diseases.

In conclusion, the study highlights a clear association between higher SHC participation rates and a lower prevalence of kidney disease. Increasing SHC participation rates can significantly contribute to reducing the burden of treated ESKD and CKD in different regions. It is crucial to promote and encourage individuals to actively participate in health checkups to safeguard their kidney health.

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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it