Deaths related to kidney disease rise – Taipei Times
- Home
- Taiwan News
Mon, Aug 31, 2026 page3
Deaths related to kidney disease rise
DOUBLE-EDGED:
Many people have survived diseases because of treatments that can damage their kidneys, while others are living long enough to develop kidney disease
- By Lin Chih-yi and Hou Chia-yu / Staff reporters
The number of deaths, the mortality rate and the age-standardized mortality rate associated with kidney disease all increased in Taiwan last year, with healthcare providers warning of the growing challenges posed by multimorbidity as people take multiple medications or supplements that might harm their kidneys
About 10,000 new patients go on dialysis every year, and although Taiwan’s overall age-standardized mortality rate last year was 3.7 percent lower than the previous year, the deaths, mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate associated with kidney disease all increased, Ministry of Health and Welfare data showed
Last year, 5,980 deaths were reported as associated with nephritis (kidney inflammation), nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder in which too much protein is released in urine) and nephropathy (kidney disease or damage), for a mortality rate of 25.6 deaths per 100,000 people and an age-standardized mortality rate of 10.6 deaths per 100,000, representing increases of 5.3 percent, 5.6 percent and 1.7 percent respectively from the previous year
A person points to a model of a kidney in an undated photograph
Photo courtesy of Ho Hao-chung
National Cheng Kung University Hospital Department of Internal Medicine deputy director Sung Chun-ming (宋俊明) yesterday said that standardized mortality rates for kidney disease have been rising in Japan and the US, a trend he linked to the increasing complexity of comorbidities among people with chronic kidney disease
While the incidence and prevalence of dialysis in Taiwan are falling, the age of people on dialysis is rising and their comorbidities are increasing, so many physicians are seeing conditions becoming “increasingly severe,” he said
“Many people have survived diseases that can be treated, but at the cost of damaging their kidneys,” Sung said
Medical advances enable the treatment of many previously incurable diseases, but these therapies might impair renal function, he said
These developments — coupled with an aging population, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome and other comorbidities — are creating new challenges in Taiwan’s nephrology care, he added
Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital Division of Nephrology attending physician Hwang Shang-jyh (黃尚志) said that as medical care advances, more people are living long enough to develop kidney disease, which might be why kidney disease deaths are increasing
However, a conclusion cannot be drawn from short-term data on changes in kidney disease mortality rates alone, and a slight increase in the mortality rates does not imply that past prevention and control efforts have failed, he said
Clinically, patients often have multiple coexisting conditions, such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure and infections, Hwang said, adding that which condition is the primary cause of death can significantly influence statistical outcomes
Kidney disease mortality rates among middle-aged adults have shown a slight upward trend over the past few years, ministry data showed
Among people aged 45 to 64, the mortality rate associated with nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephropathy has ranged from 9.9 to 10.4 deaths per 100,000 people over the past five years, compared with a low of 9.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019
Metabolic syndrome is occurring at younger ages, and the number of people with early-onset type 2 diabetes has increased, Sung said
Middle-aged adults have poor adherence to medical advice for controlling the “three highs” — high levels of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids, he said
Moreover, many people purchase over-the-counter drugs or health supplements without consulting a doctor to “protect their kidneys,” but doing so can instead harm their kidneys, he said
Public awareness of the importance of controlling the “three highs” should be improved, and the government should crack down on illegal advertisements for medicines and health supplements, and also consider requiring high-risk drugs to carry warning labels reminding people to consult a doctor before taking them, Sung said
Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations spokesman Huang Yen-ju (黃彥儒) said that as some painkillers can affect blood flow in the kidneys, a person’s medication use and medical history must be carefully evaluated before analgesics are prescribed
People should also make a habit of asking a pharmacist before taking any new medicine, he said
People should also not believe the myth that taking supplements will protect their kidneys, avoid purchasing drugs or health products from unknownfamily member’s recommendation or online ads
Most Popular
- 1
China deploys record number of ships near Taiwan
- 2
Typhoon Saudel weakens, likely to come closest to Taiwan Friday
- 3
Minister urges sports associations to manage debt amid Jones Cup controversy
- 4
Sea warning for Typhoon Saudel likely early tomorrow
- 5
Typhoon Saudel losing strength, CWA reports
- 1
You might also like
Typhoon Saudel weakens, likely to come closest to Taiwan Friday
2026-08-25
Typhoon Saudel has shown signs of weakening but is still expected to affect Taiwan when it comes closest to the nation on Friday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today.
The radius of Saudel shrank to about 220km as of 8am today from 250km a day earlier, and its maximum sustained winds were down to 155kph from 184kph previously, the weather agency said.
As of 8am, Typhoon Saudel was 980km east of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 18kph, it said.
Under the influence of a Pacific high pressure system, the storm is moving northward, meaning it is less likely to make landfall in Taiwan,
Minister urges sports associations to manage debt amid Jones Cup controversy
2026-08-26
Minister of Sports Lee Yang (李洋) today said the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) has been urged not to undermine Taiwan’s credibility in international competitions, after a Taiwanese team advanced to the semi-finals of the 45th William Jones Cup over the Philippines last week due to a controversial new rule guaranteeing a semi-final place to the host team.
The Republic of China Blue team advanced to the semi-finals after winning just one game in the group round due to a “host guarantee” spot, overtaking the Philippines, who held a 5-1 record ahead of the semi-finals.
The Blue team finished the tournamentBy Hsu Yung-ching and Hollie Younger
Sea warning for Typhoon Saudel likely early tomorrow
2026-08-26
A sea warning for Typhoon Saudel, which has shifted to a more northerly track as it nears Taiwan, is expected early tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today.
As of this morning, Saudel was about 650km east-northeast of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 12kph with maximum sustained winds of 162kph, CWA data showed.
Although Saudel remains a moderate typhoon, it has weakened and is expected to weaken further as it nears Taiwan due to unfavorable atmospheric and ocean conditions, CWA forecaster Lin Po-tung (林伯東) said.
The storm is forecast to make its closest approach to Taiwan tomorrow and on Friday, Lin added.
According to
Typhoon Saudel losing strength, CWA reports
2026-08-26
SEA WARNING EXPECTED:
As atmospheric conditions are unfavorable for its development, the storm’s intensity is continuing to weaken, a CWA official said Typhoon Saudel is continuing to weaken and shift its path northward, with a sea warning expected to be issued this evening, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.
The agency did not rule out issuing a land warning for outlying Lienchiang County (Matsu) tomorrow morning, although all storm warnings could be lifted by Friday night.
Saudel is expected to be closest to Taiwan from tomorrow night to Friday, bringing localized heavy rain to northern and southern Taiwan, as well as central mountainous areas, the agency said.
As of 2pm yesterday, the center of moderate Typhoon Saudel was about 890km east-northeast
Copyright © 1999-2026 The Taipei Times. All rights reserved.
