Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology: Clinico-Epidemiological study insights from a Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Western India

Background: Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), characterized by the absence of known risk factors, has been documented in various geographically distinct regions worldwide. This study explores the clin-ical and epidemiological profile of patients with CKDu from a newly identified hotspot in western India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory profiles of CKDu patients visiting a tertiary care public hospital in, between July 2024 and December 2024. CKDu was defined as progressive CKD with minimal proteinuria, no hematuria, and the absence of diabetes, severe hypertension, systemic illness, glomerulonephritis, or other urinary tract diseases. Symmetrically contracted kidneys on ultrasound further confirmed the diagnosis. Results: The mean age of patients was 53.6 ± 11.8 years, with a male predominance 68.1%. Most patients were from rural areas (88.6%) and were primarily engaged in farming (63.3%). The average estimated glomerular fil-tration rate (eGFR) at presentation was 21.5 ± 15.1 mL/min/1.73 m². Patients were categorized as having stage 3 CKD (26.5%), stage 4 CKD (34.3%), or stage 5 CKD (39.2%). Conclusion: This study identifies distinct geographical clustering of CKDu cases in western part of India, suggesting the need for further investigation into potential environmental or occupational risk factors in these regions.