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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
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Prevalence and awareness of CKD among African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study

Michael F Flessner1, Sharon B Wyatt, Ermeg L Akylbekova

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA. mflessner@medicine.umsmed.edu

American Journal of Kidney Diseases : the Official Journal of the National Kidney Foundation
|January 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 20% of African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study, with low awareness (15.8%). Early diagnosis and education are crucial for managing this growing epidemic.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern, disproportionately affecting African Americans with a fourfold higher incidence of end-stage renal disease compared to whites in the U.S.
  • Understanding CKD prevalence and awareness within specific populations is critical for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the prevalence and awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among African Americans participating in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS).
  • To identify demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors associated with CKD prevalence and awareness in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • An observational cohort study utilizing data from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS).
  • CKD was defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2), albuminuria, or dialysis. Data included medical history, anthropometrics, and serum/urine samples.
  • Logistic regression models assessed associations between CKD and various parameters, including demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare access, and disease status.

Main Results:

  • The JHS cohort exhibited a 20% prevalence of CKD, with only 15.8% awareness among participants.
  • Older age was associated with higher CKD prevalence and greater awareness. Factors like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertriglyceridemia were linked to increased CKD prevalence.
  • Only advanced CKD stage correlated with increased awareness, highlighting a gap in early disease recognition.

Conclusions:

  • The Jackson Heart Study reveals a significant burden of CKD with low awareness, particularly in individuals with less advanced disease.
  • There is an urgent need for earlier CKD diagnosis and enhanced educational initiatives for both healthcare providers and the general population to combat this epidemic.
Abstract

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