For unknown causes, women are approximately 30% more likely than men to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) prior to dialysis. Understanding and trying to eliminate sex-based differences in CKD prevalence are crucial because CKD is linked to several negative health outcomes. The impact of sex and gender on the epidemiology and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as age, diabetes, hypertension and the complications from CKD, such as kidney disease progression, cardiovascular disease, CKD mineral and bone disorders, anemia, quality of life, cancer, and mortality, is mapped in this review along with what is known and what is unknown. Future research can be guided by this mapping.
