Work

Association between flood exposure and chronic kidney disease: A nationwide cross-sectional study in China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Flooding has become more frequent and intense due to climate change, yet its long-term health impacts, especially on chronic kidney disease (CKD), remain underexplored. This study examines the association between long-term flood exposure and CKD among adults in China using data from 47,204 participants in a nationally representative survey. Flood exposure was defined as satellite-detected inundation occurring within 10 km of participants' residences during the one to seven years preceding the survey. CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and/or the presence of albuminuria. Generalized additive models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Flood exposure significantly increased the odds of CKD at a one-year lag (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.67–2.11), and this effect persisted up to seven years post-event (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00–1.25). Albuminuria showed the strongest association with flood exposure at the one-year lag (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.98–2.56), subsequently declining, whereas reduced eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) became significantly associated from three years onward, peaking at five years post-flood (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.75–2.75). Subgroup analyses indicated that rural residents, lower-income individuals, and females were particularly vulnerable within the first year following flooding. These findings suggest that flood exposure has long-term adverse impacts on CKD, particularly among certain vulnerable populations. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. • Flood exposure increased CKD odds, persisting up to 7 years post-event. • Flood exposure increased albuminuria odds, persisting up to 4 years post-event. • Flood exposure increased odds of eGFR decline, significant from 3 years onward. • Females, rural residents and low-income groups showed greater vulnerability.

Source: Environmental Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.123631

Authors: Yingying Qin, Jingyi Wu, Chenghua Guo, Wanzhou Wang, Pengfei Li, Luxia Zhang

Institutions: Peking University, Peking University First Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,880