Chronic Kidney Disease in Agricultural Communities

Patients residing in agricultural communities have a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. In the Great Plains, geo-environmental risk factors (eg, variable climate, temperature, air quality, water quality, and drought) combine with agro-environmental risk factors (eg, exposure to fertilizers, soil conditioners, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides) to increase risk for toxic nephropathy. However, research defining the specific influence of agricultural chemicals on the progression of kidney disease in rural communities has been somewhat limited. By linking retrospective clinical data within electronic medical records to environmental data from sources like US Environmental Protection Agency, analytical models are beginning to provide insight into the impact of agricultural practices on the rate of progression for kidney disease in rural communities.