Predictors of accelerated renal function decline in the general population

PhD ceremony: Ms. N. Halbesma, 14.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Predictors of accelerated renal function decline in the general population

Promotor(s): prof. P.E. de Jong, prof. R.P. Stolk

Faculty: Medical Sciences

The number of subjects with a chronic kidney disease is increasing. Early stages of kidney failure do not cause symptoms and therefore patients are often diagnosed late. The aim of this research was to investigate whether it is possible to identify subjects at high risk of developing renal failure in an early stage of their disease. High concentration of protein loss in the urine (macroalbuminurie) is a valuable predictor for accelerated renal function decline. Furthermore predictors for accelerated renal function loss differ by gender. In males loss of protein in the urine, high blood pressure, high plasma glucose and increase during follow-up in protein loss, blood pressure and cholesterol are the most important predictors. In females also an increase in cholesterol was a predictor for subsequent renal function loss. However, loss of protein and increases in protein loss, blood pressure and cholesterol were not associated with accelerated renal function loss in females. The results of this thesis are also used to develop a useful clinical tool, the ‘Renal Risk Score’. With this tool, the risk of developing renal failure can be calculated based on a few easy to measure characteristics of an individual.