The catastrophic costs of chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with the highest occurrence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) both globally and across all diseases. However, CHE alone does not provide a complete measure of the financial burdens of CKD on a household, especially for those with very low incomes or who forego therapy altogether. A more comprehensive assessment of direct, indirect and long-term costs is crucial to advancing equitable and effective universal health coverage.