The kidneys perform a vital function in the body by filtering the blood. Over time, they may become damaged and this can lead to deterioration in the way they work. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops when damage to the kidney results in reduced function. It is a common condition globally and is an important area of research. Kidney function can get worse over a period of time and for some people the kidneys stop working and they require dialysis or a kidney transplant. For most people with CKD this is not the case, but they are at a much higher risk of cardiovascular problems (like strokes and heart attacks) than people without CKD.
Although CKD is recognised as an increasing problem there have been relatively few studies describing the people who have been diagnosed with the disease. The Oxford Renal study (OxRen) is a large cohort study involving thousands of participants. To date, the study has recruited nearly 3,000 patients over the age of 60 years.
The study aims to report how many people are diagnosed with CKD to provide a better understanding of how common it is in the general population. Then everyone in the cohort will be followed-up over a long period of time – at least five years – to determine who develops CKD. The study will also examine factors which are associated with progression to CKD, treatments which might help to prevent it and the overall risk of cardiovascular disease in the cohort.
The plan for the study has been published and can be accessed for free here: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/12/e004265.long
For full details, please follow the link to the OxRen page on the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences website: https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/research/kidney-disease/studies/oxren
Principal Investigators:
Prof Richard Hobbs & Dr Clare Taylor
Contact:
Address: Dr Clare Taylor, The OxREN Study Group, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6JJ