National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Activities
Scientific Research
This section describes basic and clinical research activities supported or sponsored by the Federal government.
The Chronic Renal Disease Program
The Chronic Renal Diseases Program supports basic and clinical research on renal development and disease, including:
- causes, pathogenetic mechanisms, and pathophysiology;
- morphological and functional markers and diagnostic measures, including biomarkers;
- underlying mechanisms leading to progression of renal disease;
- unctional adaptation to progressive nephron loss;
- natural history of progressive renal diseases;
- identification and testing of possible therapeutic interventions to prevent development or halt progression of renal disease.
Research in this program includes the primary glomerulopathies and renal disease from systemic diseases that collectively account for more than 80 percent of all cases of treated end-stage renal disease.
Contact Information
Kevin Abbott, MD, MPH
Director, Kidney and Urology Epidemiology Program
Phone: 301-594-7714
Web: www.usrds.org
The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study
The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study is an ongoing prospective observational cohort study of approximately 4,000 men and women with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study population includes about one-half African Americans and one-half is composed of persons with diabetes; two subgroups at increased risk for kidney failure (end-stage renal disease-ESRD). The objective of this nationwide study is to identify factors associated with rapid decline in kidney function and factors associated with worsening of pre-existing or development of cardiovascular disease. Information from the study will be used to plan future clinical trials to slow the progression of CKD and to reduce associated morbidity, including cardiovascular disease. The first cohort of CRIC Study participants, which included persons with mild to moderate CKD, were enrolled from 2003 to 2008. They are followed each year with in-person clinic visits with an interim telephone call. In July 2013 recruitment began for a second cohort (1,500 participants) of study participants with more preserved kidney function. All study participants will be followed until 2018 and possibly longer. A number of ancillary studies have been conducted (and many are ongoing) which examined a broad range of outcomes and risk factors of CKD. New ancillary studies continue to be implemented.
Contact Information
Kevin Abbott, MD, MPH
Director, Kidney and Urology Epidemiology Program
Phone: 301-594-7714
Web: www.cristudy.org
The CKiD Study
The CKiD study examines CKD progression and its effects in children recruited between ages 1-16. It aims to determine risk factors for progression of pediatric CKD and to examine the impact of CKD on neurocognitive development, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and growth. The current phase of the study is scheduled to end in 2018. A description of the baseline characteristics of the cohort has been published by in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Another manuscript summarizing findings through 2012 is published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease. This study has had more than seventy publications to date.
Contact Information
Ziya Kirkali, MD
Program Director, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
Phone: 301-594-7718
Web: www.statepi.jhsph.edu/ckid
Last Updated: December 2016
Public Education & Outreach
This section describes NIDDK education and outreach to the public related to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
NIDDK develops evidence-based information to improve understanding, detection, and management of kidney disease. NIDDK distributes this information and responds to inquiries on kidney diseases, and related issues such as diabetes and obesity, through its website, social media, and exhibits.
Highlights of some of the NIDDK resources include:
- Initiatives to encourage African American faith communities and families to “make the kidney connection” and learn how to protect their kidneys.
- Kidney Sundays - Provides kidney information for faith-based communities to share with their members. In partnership with Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority Inc., Kidney Sundays events are held nationally in March every year during National Kidney Month and includes information and blood pressure screenings for participants.
- Family Reunion - Coaches African American family reunion planners to present an educational session on kidney disease at their family reunions.
- Community Health & Outreach web section includes interactive resources and customizable content.
- Educational materials for people at risk and newly diagnosed CKD patients (also available in Spanish).
- Explaining Your Kidney Test Results: A Tear-off Pad for Clinical Use (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French)
- Tip sheets on protein, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium management (also available in Spanish) and an overview guide, Eating Right for Kidney Health (also available in Spanish and French).
Contact Information
NIDDK Health Information Center
healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov
Professional Education & Outreach
This section describes NIDDK education and outreach to health professionals related to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
NIDDK provides information, tools, and materials for a variety of health professionals to improve their knowledge and practice related to kidney disease detection, education, and treatment. Online tools include
- Nephrology (PDF, 745.24 KB) and CKD Diet Counseling (Medical Nutrition Therapy) (PDF, 451.07 KB) referral forms for primary care providers to share patient data with consulting nephrologists and registered dietitians, respectively
- Quick Reference on UACR/GFR fact sheet
- CKD and Drug Dosing: Information for Providers
- Teaching tools for dietetic educators training students and interns to provide CKD Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Self-study training modules for dietitians, diabetes educators, and pharmacists (continuing education credits available)
- Kidney Disease Education Lesson Builder(KDE) to help educators create and teach classes meeting the CMS criteria for KDE coverage.
- Videos that model ways for health professionals to answer common patient questions (in English and Spanish) on a wide series of topics related to CKD, kidney failure, and how medications affect blood flow in the kidney.
NIDDK activities also include
- Laboratory Working Group to collaborate with the clinical chemistry community on creatinine and urine albumin standardization
- Health Information Technology Working Group to enable and support the widespread interoperability of data related to kidney health
Contact Information
NIDDK Health Information Center
healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov
Last Updated: January 2020
Surveillance
This section describes surveillance activities and programs of the Federal government related to chronic kidney disease.
The United States Renal Data System (USRDS)
USRDS is a national data system that collects, analyzes, and distributes information about CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. The USRDS is funded directly by NIDDK in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). USRDS staff collaborates with members of CMS, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the ESRD networks, a national data system that collects, analyzes, and distributes information about CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. The USRDS is funded directly by NIDDK in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). USRDS staff collaborates with members of CMS, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the ESRD networks, sharing datasets and actively working to improve the accuracy of ESRD patient information. USRDS is a national data system that collects, analyzes, and distributes information about CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. The USRDS is funded directly by NIDDK in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). USRDS staff collaborates with members of CMS, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the ESRD networks, sharing datasets and actively working to improve the accuracy of ESRD patient information.
Along with producing the Annual Data Report on End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States, the USRDS also produces the Researcher's Guide, fulfills data requests, provides standard analysis files and specialized datasets to researchers, and presents the results of its research at national conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Contact Information
Kevin Abbott, MD, MPH
Director, Kidney and Urology Epidemiology Program
Phone: 301-594-7714
Web: www.usrds.org
Last Updated: December 2016
This information was reviewed by KICC agency representatives. It may not reflect new or future agency activities. For more information, please contact the listed representatives.