From the Guidelines

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is underdiagnosed in females, with a prevalence of 12.6% in women compared to 9.7% in men.

The prevalence of CKD is higher in women than in men, with 12.6% of women affected compared to 9.7% of men 1.
CKD is often asymptomatic and underdiagnosed, with most cases identified in early stages and associated with diabetes, hypertension, or both 1.
The USPSTF recommends screening for CKD in patients with diabetes, and several organizations recommend screening patients who are being treated for hypertension 1.
Early detection and treatment of CKD can help prevent or delay adverse outcomes such as progression to kidney failure, complications of decreased kidney function, and cardiovascular disease 1.

CKD is defined as decreased kidney function or kidney damage that persists for at least 3 months, and can be detected using tests for estimated GFR, microalbuminuria, or macroalbuminuria 1.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends a simple definition and five-stage classification system of CKD, and summarizes major recommendations on early detection of CKD in adults 1.

The underdiagnosis of CKD in females highlights the need for increased awareness and screening efforts, particularly in high-risk populations such as those with diabetes or hypertension.
Early detection and treatment of CKD can help improve outcomes and reduce the risk of adverse events, and healthcare providers should consider screening for CKD in asymptomatic adults with risk factors.

From the Research

The prevalence of underdiagnosed CKD in females is a significant concern, with studies indicating that women are more likely to have undiagnosed CKD than men 2.
A multinational observational study found that the prevalence of undiagnosed stage 3 CKD was higher in females than males, with odds ratios ranging from 1.29 to 1.77 across different countries 2.
Another study found that among adults with CKD, women were more likely to have stage 3a CKD, which may be associated with a lower likelihood of diagnosis 3.
The underdiagnosis of CKD in females may be due to various factors, including the lack of awareness and recognition of CKD symptoms, as well as the fact that women are more likely to have preserved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) despite having albuminuria 4.

Female sex is a significant factor associated with underdiagnosis of CKD, with studies indicating that women are more likely to have undiagnosed CKD than men 2.
Age is also a factor, with the prevalence of undiagnosed CKD increasing with age 2.
The absence of medical history of diabetes or hypertension is also associated with underdiagnosis of CKD in females 2.
The use of GFR equations may also contribute to the underdiagnosis of CKD in females, as these equations may not accurately reflect kidney function in women 4.

The underdiagnosis of CKD in females highlights the need for improved awareness and recognition of CKD symptoms, as well as the importance of regular screening and monitoring of kidney function 2.
Healthcare providers should be aware of the factors associated with underdiagnosis of CKD in females, including female sex, age, and absence of medical history of diabetes or hypertension 2.
The use of more accurate and sensitive diagnostic tools, such as cystatin C-based GFR equations, may help improve the diagnosis of CKD in females 4.