SummaryChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent condition that is often diagnosed late due to its asymptomatic early stages, highlighting the need for improved early detection. This project will utilize data from the German NAKO cohort to establish population-based reference values for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and eGFR decline. Results will be assessed for their potential to differentiate between physiological aging and pathological kidney impairment. It will also examine the distributions across study regions and different groups of participants (e.g., without severe morbidities or with morbidities such as diabetes or hypertension). Furthermore, the impact of different eGFR equations (creatinine- and cystatin C-based) on these distributions will be studied. Risk factors of eGFR and eGFR decline will be evaluated, and the ability of factors to predict eGFR decline will be assessed. This project aims to improve CKD definition, risk stratification, and clinical interpretation in the German population.

Keywords chronic-kidney-disease kidney-function kidney-function-decline

InstitutionsUniversitätsklinikum Freiburg, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Uniklinik Freiburg, Universität Regensburg, Medical Center - University of Freiburg