More than one in 10 Chinese adults has chronic kidney disease, but the awareness level remains quite poor, a senior expert said.

Wang Mei, head of the renal division at Peking University People's Hospital, announced the figure at an awareness-raising event on Wednesday, the eve of World Kidney Day, which falls on the second Thursday of March.

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years, medical experts said. In China, of all chronic kidney disease cases, 1 to 3 percent will develop final-stage renal disease, also known as uraemia, which requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Wang said, "This chronic disease, which can be life- threatening, has become a public health challenge in China and the world."

She urged people to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They should have a balanced diet low in salt, refrain from smoking, and take frequent exercise.

For early detection, high-risk groups should undergo screening at least once a year. Wang said many patients tended to delay treatment, and developed life-threatening complications.