Prevalence of chronic kidney disease markers: Evidence from a three-million married population with fertility desire in rural China

We aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) markers among the married residents with fertility desire in rural China. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the National Free Pre-Conception Health Examination Project. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min//1.73 m(2), proteinuria, and hematuria were defined as markers of CKD. GFR was evaluated by using serum creatinine level and the Asian-modified CKD epidemiology collaboration equation. Automated urine dry chemical and microscopic analyses were employed to identify proteinuria and hematuria. The prevalence of CKD markers was 2.92% in the 3,091,379 participants. eGFR < 60 mL/min//1.73 m(2), hematuria and proteinuria was observed in 0.85%, 1.41% and 0.71%, respectively. The prevalence of CKD markers varied greatly across different geographical locations, which was the highest in the Eastern Region (3.86%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.81-3.91%), moderate in the Central Region (2.80%; 95% CI: 2.77-2.82%), and lowest in the Western Region (2.62%; 95% CI: 2.59-2.65%). Hypertension, obesity, positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), age (increased by every 5 years), female gender, and living area were potential risk factors for CKD. In rural China, the prevalence of CKD markers in the married couples with fertility desire is low.