News: CKD linked to family history of kidney failure, study finds

Having a family history of kidney disease is associated with a 16% higher risk for disease progression among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)–even after accounting for APOL1 risk alleles and social determinants of health (SDOH), according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.

Researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis of 5,623 patients with CKD. The analysis sought to assess the relationship between CKD and family history of kidney disease and whether this was influenced by SDOH and APOL1 risk alleles.  

In the study, family history of kidney failure was self-reported via questionnaires and was defined as a first-degree relative treated for kidney failure with dialysis or transplant. APOL1 genotyping was then performed in non-Hispanic Black patients, who were then grouped as low-risk (zero to one risk alleles) or high risk (two risk alleles).

Overall, 17% of patients reported a family history of kidney failure. Black patients were more likely than white patients to report a family history of kidney failure, regardless of APOL1 status. Adverse SDOH, such as lower income or lower educational attainment, were positively associated with family history of kidney failure in unadjusted analyses but not after multivariable adjustment. After adjusting for APOL1 status, demographics, SDOH, and clinical factors, having a family history of kidney disease was associated with a higher risk for progression.

This outcome highlights the importance of gathering information on family history and the need for further efforts to understand the reasons for familial aggregation of CKD, the study found.

“Our study suggests the prognostic value of family history of kidney failure for people with established diagnosis of CKD, but also its possible utility in assessing racial and ethnic disparities that underlie a familial aggregation of kidney disease,” the authors of the study wrote.

Editor’s note: To read Medscape Medical News’ coverage of this story, click here. To read the full study, click here.