Understanding Chronic Kidney Diseases of Uncertain Etiology in Agricultural Communities
September 2019 Council
Lead Division/Office
KUH
Point(s) of Contact
Susan Mendley, M.D.; Kevin C. Abbott, M.D., M.P.H.
Executive Summary
Chronic Kidney Diseases of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) are recognized to cause end stage kidney failure in rural areas of many low and middle income countries, resulting in a large death toll among the working age population. Environmental factors are suspected, but there is a lack of compelling evidence for any agent, while family and geographic clustering raise the possibility of an unrecognized genetic susceptibility. Finding a cause and treatment for CKDu would save many lives and offer insights into mechanisms of progressive kidney disease.