Maine CKD Study
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) results in a gradual loss of kidney function. Poor kidney function results in several complications, including heart disease. Dialysis or a kidney transplant is required when CKD progresses to end-stage kidney disease. The US Centers for Disease and Prevention estimates that more than 1 in 7 (15%) individuals in the US have CKD. Most of these 37 million people have been not diagnosed with CKD. In Maine, the prevalence of CKD among Medicare participants was the 8th highest in the US in 2018. Over 21,000 Mainers had been diagnosed with CKD and over 1,100 of these individuals were on dialysis. Risk factors for CKD includes diabetes, hypertension, age, genetics, environmental factors, and individual and community-level socioeconomic factors.
Maine Chronic Kidney Disease (ME-CKD) Study
The goal of the Maine Chronic Kidney Disease (ME-CKD) study pilot project is to identify putative genetic loci that increase risk for CKD. Our secondary objectives are to examine associations between known CKD risk loci among study participants, and compare genetic data with other CKD studies to assess whether study participants are a representative cohort of CKD patients. Working collaboratively with Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center through the University of Maine Institute of Medicine, we are employing a genome-wide association study design.