Iranian Chronic Kidney Disease Biobank as a comprehensive resource for next-generation research: study design and...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major and growing health burden, yet early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers remain limited. Precision nephrology requires well-phenotyped longitudinal cohorts linked to high-quality biospecimens for future multi-omics studies, particularly from under-represented populations.

The Iranian Chronic Kidney Disease Biobank (ICKDB) is a prospective, single-city, two-centre cohort biobank in Isfahan, Iran. Adults aged 18-75 years with CKD stages G1-G4 are recruited alongside healthy, diabetic and hypertensive comparator groups. Participants undergo standardised baseline assessment, including demographics, medical and medication history, anthropometry and blood and urine testing. Follow-up visits with repeat clinical assessment and sampling are scheduled at 12 and 24 months. Biospecimens (urine, serum, plasma and buffy coat) are processed using standardised procedures, aliquoted and stored at -80°C with scheduled quality-control assessments. Clinical data and biospecimen metadata are recorded in a registry with structured data dictionaries, quality assurance processes and controlled access. Disease progression is primarily evaluated using longitudinal kidney function and albuminuria measures. Clinical endpoints include kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, all-cause mortality, CKD-related hospitalisations and documented progression. Recruitment is ongoing. The planned sample size is 1168 participants (779 participants with CKD and 389 comparators), of whom 281 participants had been enrolled at protocol submission.

The ICKDB was approved by the Ethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences under code IR.MUI.MED.REC.1400.194. All participants provide written informed consent. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, scientific conferences and approved research collaborations.