National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Scientific Research
This section describes basic and clinical research activities supported or sponsored by the Federal government.
The Chronic Renal Diseases Program supports basic and clinical research on renal development and disease, including: (1) causes, pathogenetic mechanisms, and pathophysiology; (2) morphological and functional markers and diagnostic measures; (3) underlying mechanisms leading to progression of renal disease; (4) functional adaptation to progressive nephron loss; (5) natural history of progressive renal diseases; and (6) identification and testing of possible therapeutic interventions to prevent development or halt progression of renal disease. Research in this program includes the primary glomerulopathies and renal disease from systemic diseases that collectively account for more than 80 percent of all cases of treated end-stage renal disease.
Contact Information
Lawrence Agodoa, MD
Director, Office of Minority Health Research Coordination
Phone: (301) 594-1932
Email: agodoal@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Web: www2.niddk.nih.gov/Research/ScientificAreas/Kidney/BCKD.htm
The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study is a prospective observational cohort study of nearly 4,000 men and women with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study population includes about one-half African Americans and one-half is composed of persons with diabetes; two subgroups at increased risk for CKD. The objective of this nationwide study is to identify factors associated with rapid decline in kidney function and factors associated with worsening of pre-existing or development of cardiovascular disease. The study will also develop predictive models to identify high-risk subgroups and identify etiological factors for future trials to reduce the burden of CKD and its associated morbidity. Participants will be followed for up to 10 years. A number of ancillary studies will examine genetic, behavioral, nutritional, associated morbidity (e.g., eye disease) and other factors for CKD.
Contact Information
John Kusek, PhD
Senior Scientific Advisor, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
Phone: 301-594-7735
Email: kusekj@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Web: www.niddk.nih.gov/patient/cric/cric.htm
The CKiD study examines CKD progression and its effects in children ages 1-16. It aims to determine risk factors for progression of pediatric CKD and to examine the impact of CKD on neurocognitive development, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and growth. The first phase of the study ended in 2008 and now will continue to follow the patient cohort is being followed for an additional five years.
Contact Information
Marva Moxey-Mims, MD
Director, Pediatric Nephrology & Renal Centers Programs
Phone: (301) 594-7717
Email: marva.moxey-mims@nih.hhs.gov
Web: www.statepi.jhsph.edu/ckid
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Public Education & Outreach
This section describes current outreach and education programs of the Federal government related to chronic kidney disease.
The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by kidney disease and its complications. A facet of the program is to educate those most at risk for kidney disease, health care providers, and lab professionals about the detection and treatment of kidney disease.
To educate populations most at risk for kidney disease, NKDEP provides easy-to-read educational materials for the general public, African Americans, and Spanish-speakers. The tear-off sheet of the Explaining GFR Tear-off Pad is intended for health professionals to use as they talk with their patients about their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test results. This tool is available for Spanish-, Chinese-, and Vietnamese-speaking providers and patients, and a similar tool on urine albumin is currently under development. NKDEP is also developing materials for patients about the CKD diet and for parents with children at risk for CKD.
NKDEP’s Kidney Connection campaign encourages African Americans to “make the kidney connection” between diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease; and get tested for kidney disease. The campaign is currently composed of two efforts: The Family Reunion Initiative and Kidney Sundays. The Family Reunion Health Guide, the centerpiece of the Family Reunion Initiative, facilitates healthy communication and discussion at family reunions. Kidney Sundays offers a tool kit—which includes various materials such as talking points and a tips sheet—intended for use by health and community ministry leaders to develop conversations and present information about kidney disease at faith-based ministry meetings, health fairs, seminars and/or one-on-one meetings.
Contact Information
Andrew S. Narva, MD, FACP
Director, NKDEP
Phone: (301) 594-8864
Email: narvaa@niddk.nih.gov
Web: www.nkdep.nih.gov
Eileen Newman, MS, RD
Associate Director, NKDEP
Phone: (301) 435-8116
Email: eileen.newman@nih.gov
Web: www.nkdep.nih.gov
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the NIDDK. The NKUDIC houses and distributes publications about kidney and urologic diseases and promotes publications through health fairs and community events.
NKUDIC also responds to inquiries about kidney and urologic diseases—ranging from information about available patient and professional education materials to statistical data. The website includes a consumer-friendly listing of patient-advocacy organizations.
Contact Information
Kathy Kranzfelder
Phone: (301) 496-3583
Email: kranzfeldk@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Web: kidney.niddk.nih.gov
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Professional Education & Outreach
This section describes education and outreach to health professionals of the Federal government related to chronic kidney disease.
The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) promotes messages and materials to primary care professionals to improve their knowledge and practice related to kidney disease detection, education, and treatment. Materials include the online glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculators, Quick Reference on UACR/GFR, Explaining GFR Tear-off Pad, and a tear-off pad on urine albumin (under development). NKDEP is also working to create materials for dietitians and other health educators interested in diet and CKD, as well as FAQs for pediatricians who care for children at risk for CKD. NKDEP also hosts webinars for health professional on various topics such as “Improving Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease.”
NKDEP and its Laboratory Working Group use a variety of channels to keep the clinical chemistry community informed about creatinine standardization and efforts to standardize measurement and reporting or urine albumin. Information is disseminated through the website, e-newsletters, and professional meetings.
Contact Information
Andrew S. Narva, MD, FACP
Director, NKDEP
Phone: (301) 594-8864
Email: narvaa@niddk.nih.gov
Web: www.nkdep.nih.gov
Eileen Newman, MS, RD
Associate Director, NKDEP
Phone: (301) 435-8116
Email: eileen.newman@nih.gov
Web: www.nkdep.nih.gov
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Surveillance
This section describes surveillance activities and programs of the Federal government related to chronic kidney disease.
The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) is a national data system that collects, analyzes, and distributes information about end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. The USRDS is funded directly by NIDDK in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). USRDS staff collaborates with members of CMS, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the ESRD networks, sharing datasets and actively working to improve the accuracy of ESRD patient information.
Along with producing the Annual Data Report on End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States, the USRDS also produces the Researcher’s Guide, fulfills data requests, provides standard analysis files and specialized datasets to researchers, and presents the results of its research at national conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Contact Information
Paul Eggers, PhD
Director, Kidney and Urology Epidemiology Program
Phone: (301) 594-8305
Email: EggersP@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Web: www.usrds.org
This information was reviewed by KICC agency representatives. It may not reflect new or future agency activities. For more information, please contact the listed representatives. |
