News Release

First-degree relative with kidney disease increases disease risk by three-fold

Peer-Reviewed Publication

National Kidney Foundation

In a large population-based family study, family history of kidney disease was strongly associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease.

In this large population-based family study recently published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, researchers investigated the familial aggregation of CKD by comparing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals with an affected first-degree relative to that in the general population. Participants with an affected first-degree relative were observed to have a threefold higher risk of CKD compared to that in the general population, independent of BMI, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and smoking status. The authors of this study observed a 1.56 fold higher risk in those with an affected spouse, suggesting that shared environmental factors and/or assortative mating play a role. Heritability of eGFR was considerable (44%), whereas heritability of UAE was moderate (20%). Heritability of kidney related markers and serum electrolytes ranged between 20 and 50%. These results indicate an important role for genetic factors in modulating susceptibility to kidney disease in the general population.

###

ARTICLE TITLE: Familial Aggregation of CKD and Heritability of Kidney Biomarkers in the General Population: The Lifelines Cohort Study

AUTHORS: Jia Zhang, PhD, Chris HL Thio, PhD, Ron T. Gansevoort, MD, PhD, Harold Snieder, PhD

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.11.012


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.