PREVALENCE, CHARACTERISATION AND RESPONSE TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN SOUTH AFRICA

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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an emerging public health challenge globally and treatment is largely unaffordable in poorer settings. Those from low to middle income countries are particularly vulnerable because of the increased burden of non-communicable diseases within ageing societies that are undergoing rapid epidemiological and social transitions. In addition, although not well understood, CKD in Africans appears to be different from that seen in other ethnic groups. Thus, there are major gaps in understanding the risk factors, presentation and scope of the burden of CKD in South and sub-Saharan Africa. This prevents development of evidence-based health policy, suited to local contexts, that addresses effective strategies for prevention, early detection and treatment. In this study we will:
? Determine the prevalence of CKD in a rural South African cohort
? Establish an accurate method for estimating kidney function at community level in the South African population and regionally, in conjunction with collaborating sister studies
? Investigate the risk factors, including novel gene loci, for incident and progressive CKD in an urban and rural South African cohorts
We will deepen our understanding of CKD in South Africa and considerably enhance it. It will contribute critical evidence to accurately inform an effective health systems response to CKD in a rapidly transitioning setting. A priority is to identify modifiable risk factors for CKD that can be targeted in the development of cost-effective screening and prevention strategies at primary health care level. This is critical as resources available for the treatment of end stage kidney disease with chronic dialysis and transplantation are severely restricted, and will remain so in the current health care setting.