The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study: Design and Methods

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited understanding of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) epidemiology and its link to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Need for research on risk factors for CRI progression and CVD in affected patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine risk factors for CRI progression and CVD in CRI patients.
• To develop models for identifying high-risk subgroups.
• To inform future treatment trials and preventive therapy application.

Main Methods:

• Enrollment of ~3000 diverse adults (21-74 yrs) with varying renal disease severity, including those with diabetes.
• Exclusion of patients with polycystic kidney disease or on immunosuppression for glomerulonephritis.
• Annual clinical evaluations, semi-annual telephone follow-ups, and serial measurements including (125)I-iothalamate clearances and CVD assessments (ECG, echocardiogram, CT).

Main Results:

• Data collection on quality of life, diet, physical activity, health behaviors, depression, cognitive function, and healthcare utilization.
• Serial (125)I-iothalamate clearances to assess renal function.
• Comprehensive cardiovascular disease evaluations including ECG, echocardiogram, and CT scans.

Conclusions:

• Planned analyses will identify potential risk factors for progressive CRI and CVD.
• Study insights will generate hypotheses for targeted interventional trials.
• Aims to reduce the overall burden of CRI and CVD.