Sandra Peraza

TL;DR: Agricultural work on lowland sugarcane and cotton plantations was associated with decreased kidney function in men and women, possibly related to strenuous work in hot environments with repeated volume depletion.

TL;DR: Work is the main driver of the CKDnt epidemic in Mesoamerica, with occupational heat stress being the single uniting factor shown to lead to kidney dysfunction in affected populations.

TL;DR: Workers considered to have the highest workload had more cross-harvest kidney damage than workers with less workload and work practices preventing heat stress should be strengthened and their role in preventing kidney damage examined further.

TL;DR: The results support further efforts to prevent kidney injury among sugarcane workers, and other heat-stressed workers, by improving access to water, rest and shade.

TL;DR: Harsh and hot work on plantations and in mines in the Pacific lowlands appear related to the Mesoamerican CKD epidemic, possibly through chronic dehydration interacting with other environmental or occupational risk factors.