Chronic Kidney Disease Is Rising-What San Antonio Adults Should Know

A recent global study published in The Lancet shows that chronic kidney disease (CKD) now affects about 788 million adults worldwide, which is roughly 14% of people aged 20 and older. It is the ninth leading cause of death around the globe.

In San Antonio, many people suffer from related health issues such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, being overweight, and metabolic disorders. These problems not only affect blood sugar and blood pressure but also harm the kidneys and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. At Quality Research in San Antonio, we see how these conditions are connected through clinical trials focusing on diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, fatty liver disease, and other kidney-related health issues. This blog will explore the links between these health concerns and how clinical research is helping to find solutions.

A New Look at Chronic Kidney Disease and Other Chronic Conditions

Global data shows that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is:

– Common: affecting about 1 in 7 adults worldwide.

– Growing: nearly doubled in prevalence since 1990.

– Serious: a top cause of death, causing over a million deaths each year.

The Lancet’s analysis examines these trends and their variations across regions and countries.

Researchers have found several related conditions that contribute to CKD:

Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Obesity
Metabolic disorders like fatty liver disease

These issues are interconnected and, together, form the cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome, in which one disease exacerbates the others. The American Heart Association outlines CKM syndrome and its stages in a recent advisory.

How Chronic Kidney Disease Develops

Your kidneys are important organs made up of tiny blood vessels that do several key things:

They filter waste and extra fluid from your blood.
They help control blood pressure.
They balance minerals and electrolytes.
They support the production of red blood cells and maintain bone health.

Because the kidneys have numerous blood vessels, they can be easily damaged by high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and chronic inflammation. Over time, this can lead to:

Damage to the kidney’s blood vessels.
Protein leaking into urine.
A slower filtration rate (called eGFR).
Scarring of kidney tissue.

If it gets worse, your kidneys might stop working, and you could need dialysis or a new kidney.

Why Diabetes, High Blood Pressure & Obesity Are So Dangerous for Your Kidneys

Diabetes

When blood sugar levels remain high for an extended period, it can cause damage to blood vessels and the kidneys. This can cause diabetic kidney disease, which is a leading cause of kidney failure around the world.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure places additional strain on blood vessels, particularly in the kidneys. Over time, this can lead to scarring and reduced kidney function.

Obesity and Metabolic Disease

Being very overweight makes diabetes and high blood pressure more likely and is linked to fatty liver disease and inflammation. These issues increase stress on the kidneys and heart.

When they happen together, the risks are even greater. That’s why it’s important to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and fatty liver disease—not just for how you feel now, but to protect your kidneys and heart in the future.

CKD Is Often “Silent” Until It’s Advanced

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is concerning because it often has no symptoms in its early stages. Many people feel fine while their kidneys are getting damaged.

When symptoms do show up, they can include:

Swelling in the legs, ankles, or around the eyes
Ongoing fatigue
Nausea or lack of appetite
Shortness of breath

By this time, kidney function may be significantly reduced.

Research from Johns Hopkins and other organizations indicates that basic urine testing is often underutilized. A recent study found that only 4.1% of adults with high blood pressure and 35.1% of those with diabetes had the recommended albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) urine test in a two-year period. This means millions of people, both globally and in Texas, may be living with early-stage CKD without knowing it.

The Good News-Early Detection and New Medications Can Slow Kidney Disease

Experts say that early diagnosis can make a big difference. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, fatty liver disease, or a family history of kidney problems, talk to your doctor about:

Key Tests

Blood Tests: Creatinine and eGFR checks assess how well your kidneys are functioning.
Urine Tests: The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) checks for protein in urine, an early sign of kidney issues.
Blood Pressure Checks: It’s essential to maintain a healthy blood pressure range to protect your kidneys.

Newer Medications with Proven Kidney Benefits

In addition to well-known medications like ACE inhibitors and ARBs, new classes of drugs are changing how we treat high-risk patients:

SGLT2 inhibitors – originally used for diabetes, now shown to protect kidney function and reduce heart failure risk:

Example: The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduced the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in people with CKD:
A large Lancet meta-analysis of SGLT2 trials found about a 37% reduction in kidney disease progression.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) – used for diabetes and weight management, with growing evidence of heart and kidney benefits:

A 2024 trial in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that the GLP-1 RA semaglutide reduced the risk of clinically important kidney outcomes and cardiovascular death in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD:
A 2025 analysis in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology further supports that GLP-1 RAs reduce major kidney events and cardiovascular risk.

When initiated early and paired with lifestyle modifications, these therapies can slow the progression of CKD and lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

How Quality Research in San Antonio Supports Kidney and Metabolic Health

Quality Research is a clinical research center in San Antonio, Texas. For nearly 30 years, we have helped bring new medicines to local patients through clinical trials.

We conduct FDA-governed trials for conditions that raise the risk of kidney disease, including:

Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Fatty liver disease (NASH)
High triglycerides and other heart-related issues

You can check our current studies on our website.

Benefits of Joining a Clinical Trial at Quality Research

If you qualify for one of our studies, you may receive:

No-cost consultations and health exams related to the trial.
Study-related lab tests that can detect early kidney issues.
Access to new investigational medications not yet available to the public.
Compensation for your time and travel.
No insurance or citizenship is required to participate.

Clinical trials don’t replace your regular doctor visits, but they can:

May provide more treatment options if current ones aren’t working.
Offer monitoring of your health.
Help advance research that could prevent kidney disease for many people in the future.

Who Should Consider a Clinical Trial?

If you meet any of the following criteria, you may want to consider exploring clinical trials at Quality Research:

You have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or fatty liver disease.
You have been informed that your kidneys are “borderline” or you have early chronic kidney disease (CKD).
You feel that your current medications are not effectively managing your condition.
You are interested in advancing new treatments while receiving additional medical attention.

Our study coordinators will review your medical history and provide detailed information about any studies for which you may qualify. They will also be available to answer any questions you have before you make a decision.

Take Action to Protect Your Kidneys Today

If you live in or near San Antonio and are managing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, fatty liver disease, or other metabolic conditions, here are smart next steps:

Talk to Your Doctor About Kidney Screening: If you are at high risk, specifically ask about eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) and uACR (urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio) testing. You can also share resources such as the Lancet CKD analysis or the AHA CKM advisory with your healthcare provider.
Manage Your Chronic Conditions: Maintaining healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels is one of the most effective ways to protect both your kidneys and heart.
Explore Clinical Trial Options at Quality Research: Visit our Current Studies Page or call our office to see if you qualify for a study. Participating in trials may grant you access to advanced medications and comprehensive health evaluations at no cost.
Stay Informed About CKD and CKM Syndrome: Use resources such as the AHA Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Health Initiative to deepen your understanding of how cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health are interconnected.