[Regional and sex variations in mortality from chronic kidney disease in Argentina (2017-2019)]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a growing health burden, with insufficient epidemiological evidence. The objective was to characterize the spatial distribution of CKD mortality in Argentina by sex, age group, and regions.

Crude mortality rates (CMR), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), and age-specific mortality rates for CKD (ICD-10: N18) were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants for Argentina's 511 departments, grouped by geographic regions and stratified by sex; period 2017-2019. Mortality rates (MR) were represented in choropleth maps at the departmental level. Rates were compared by sex, and regional effects were evaluated by fitting a generalized Poisson regression model. Spatial autocorrelation was assessed using Moran's global index. A ratio between departmental ASMR and the national average was calculated, categorizing departments by percentiles (=P25, P25-average, average-P90, =P90), sex, and total population.

A total of 10 850 CKD deaths were registered in Argentina (54% among males), with CMR and ASMR of 8.4 (95% CI: 7.8-9.1) and 9.2 (95% CI: 8.5-10.0) per 100 000 inhabitants, respectively. At the regional level, significantly different patterns were observed, with higher MR in males and a marked increase in mortality after the age of 60. Mortality rates showed spatial autocorrelation, with high mortality burdens in the northwest and southern regions of the country.

Spatial clustering patterns in CKD mortality were identified in Argentina. The findings highlight the need for health policies that integrate sex- and region-specific approaches to reduce the burden of this disease with equity-based criteria.