Nephrologists Improve Knowledge of Kidney Disease Epidemiology and Genetics
Genetic Testing for Chronic Kidney Disease Can Improve Diagnosis and Management
Cleveland Clinic in Florida nephrologists coauthored a review of genetic testing to better explain the genetic causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Genetic testing for CKD is increasingly available, helping clinicians make more accurate diagnoses, better manage disease and counsel affected families. Testing also has the potential to change diagnoses previously attributed to age or hypertension.
Kidney medicine specialist Dianne Sandy, MD, of Cleveland Clinic in Florida, coauthored the review in the International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease. The article was a collaboration with colleagues at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. It reviews presentation, risks and treatment options for types of genetic CKD such as cystic kidney disease, glomerular disease, congenital anomalies and nephrolithiasis.
Genetic CKD is rare compared to CKD from conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. However, experts believe that genetic CKD diagnoses will become more common with the increasing availability and ease of genetic tests. Our clinicians now can use a buccal swab or blood draw for DNA collection. DNA collection previously required multiple blood tests and 24-hour urine collection.
Study Examines True Spectrum of Kidney and Glomerular Disease
Nephrologists, residents and fellows from Cleveland Clinic in Florida conducted a retrospective review to catalog the spectrum and characteristics of kidney disease. The study, which examined seven years of kidney biopsy results, provides epidemiological insights into the most common types of renal disease. It also highlights the need for a standardized national kidney biopsy registry to support glomerular and kidney disease research.
Chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease are well studied. But specialists have limited information about the incidence and distribution of other types of biopsy-proven kidney disease. Therefore, nephrology specialists from Cleveland Clinic in Florida and Ohio conducted the Kidney Biopsy Epidemiology Project. Kidney360 published the results, which will help determine future research.
The study identified 4,000 patients with biopsy data that met the inclusion criteria. The most common glomerular disease diagnoses were:
· Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (15.2%).
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· Diabetic kidney disease (14.6%).
· Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (7.7%).
· Lupus nephritis (7%).
· Antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis (6.6%).
· Membranous nephropathy (5.1%).
Kidney Transplant Fellowship to Welcome First Surgical Fellow in 2024
The Transplant Center at Cleveland Clinic in Florida’s new fellowship in kidney transplantation begins next year.
The ASTS Kidney Transplant Fellowship Program will involve fellows in evaluating potential recipients, donor candidates and deceased donor procurements. It will give students experience with organ perfusion and preservation, living and deceased donor kidney transplantation, nephrectomy and postoperative care.
Hannah Kerr, MD, the surgical director of the Kidney Transplant Program, will oversee the fellowship program. Kerr was fellowship-trained in kidney and pancreas transplantation at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She established the first pancreas transplant program in New Mexico and then was a member of Cleveland Clinic’s transplant team in Ohio.
🌱 Fascinating advancements in nephrology! As Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." 🌟 Your commitment to understanding and combating kidney disease truly resonates. Speaking of collective efforts, did you know there's an upcoming sponsorship opportunity for the Guinness World Record of Tree Planting? 🌳 A chance to join forces for a greener planet! Check it out: http://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord