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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 20 of 20 Research Studies DisplayedKim D, Swaminathan S, Lee Y
Racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths after COVID-19 vaccine deployment among persons with kidney failure.
COVID-19 resulted in clear racial/ethnic disparities in excess deaths among persons with kidney failure. It is not clear whether or how these disparities changed throughout the pandemic, especially after the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in excess mortality for the Medicare population with kidney failure from March 2020, through December 2021. The study found that there were 686,719 patients with kidney failure in January 2020. Researchers reported an increase in excess deaths beginning March 1, 2020, with a peak in January 2021. From March 1, 2020, through January 30, 2021, and there were substantial disparities in excess deaths across racial/ethnic groups. The number of excess deaths was 5582, 4303, and 2679 for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic patients, respectively. The percent excess deaths was 31.9% for Hispanic patients, 27.5% for non-Hispanic Black patients, and 16.4% for non-Hispanic White patients. After the wide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines since the end of January 2021, the lowest percent excess deaths was observed among Hispanic patients, followed by Black patients, and White patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS028285.
Citation: Kim D, Swaminathan S, Lee Y .
Racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths after COVID-19 vaccine deployment among persons with kidney failure.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2023 Sep; 18(9):1207-09. doi: 10.2215/cjn.0000000000000226..
Keywords: COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Vaccination, Kidney Disease and Health, Mortality
Eneanya ND, Adingwupu OM, Kostelanetz S
Social determinants of health and their impact on the Black race coefficient in serum creatinine-based estimation of GFR: secondary analysis of MDRD and CRIC studies.
The rationale behind the disparity in blood creatinine levels between Black and non-Black individuals factored into previous GFR prediction formulas remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate if social health determinants could explain this gap. The researchers conducted a secondary examination of the initial data from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease and Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort investigations. Data from these cohorts were divided based on racial characteristics (Black versus non-Black). The study initially assessed the degree to which the Black race coefficient in the GFR estimation from creatinine is influenced by the interrelation of race with social health determinants and non-GFR creatinine determinants. Researchers then assessed whether the discrepancy in adjusted mean creatinine between racial groups could be attributed to social health determinants and non-GFR creatinine determinants. The study found that in models that associated measured GFR with creatinine, age, sex, and race, the Black race coefficient was 21% in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study and 13% in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort, and was not weakened by the inclusion of social health determinants, either singularly or in combination. In both studies, the Black race coefficient was more pronounced at lower income levels as compared to higher ones. In models associating creatinine with measured GFR, age, and sex, average creatinine was elevated in Black participants in comparison with non-Black participants in both studies, with social health determinants having no impact.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Eneanya ND, Adingwupu OM, Kostelanetz S .
Social determinants of health and their impact on the Black race coefficient in serum creatinine-based estimation of GFR: secondary analysis of MDRD and CRIC studies.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2023 Apr; 18(4):446-54. doi: 10.2215/cjn.0000000000000109..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Kidney Disease and Health, Disparities
Purnell TS, Bignall ONR, Norris KC
Centering anti-racism and social justice in nephrology education to advance kidney health equity.
This article discusses actions necessary to effectively prepare a new generation of nephrology thought leaders who understand the roles of structural racism and social determinants of health (SDOH) in continuing racial disparities as critical issues in efforts that promote kidney health equity. The authors provide their recommendations for centering antiracism and social justice in nephrology education to advance kidney health equity, including: 1 Acknowledging and adopting evidence-based strategies to address implicit biases and explicit acts of interpersonal racism in healthcare encounters that may perpetuate kidney health disparities; 2) Strive to remove structural racism at the societal and health system levels that systematically introduce inequities in kidney care; 3) incorporate research training inclusive of methodologic and content areas that are vital to health equity; 4) foster role modeling within nephrology education through faculty mentorship and professional networking opportunities. The authors conclude that to effectively advance kidney research and practice, sustainable solutions to eradicate disparities must be developed and a prepared nephrology workforce must be trained, one that centers antiracism and social justice in sustained efforts to advance kidney health equity.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Purnell TS, Bignall ONR, Norris KC .
Centering anti-racism and social justice in nephrology education to advance kidney health equity.
J Am Soc Nephrol 2022 Nov;33(11):1981-84. doi: 10.1681/asn.2022040432..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Kidney Disease and Health, Disparities, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Education: Curriculum
Umeukeje EM, Koonce TY, Kusnoor SV
Systematic review of international studies evaluating MDRD and CKD-EPI estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in Black adults.
The authors conducted a systematic review to assess how well estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with and without race adjustment, estimates measured GFR (mGFR) in Black adults globally. They identified 12 studies which included patients with and without kidney disease from Africa, the United States, Europe, and Brazil. They found that the majority of these studies determined that removal of race adjustment improved bias, accuracy, and precision of eGFR equations for Black adults. They concluded that their systematic review supports the need for future studies to be conducted in diverse populations to assess the possibility of alternative approaches for estimating GFR.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Umeukeje EM, Koonce TY, Kusnoor SV .
Systematic review of international studies evaluating MDRD and CKD-EPI estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in Black adults.
PLoS One 2022 Oct 18;17(10):e0276252. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276252..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Butler T, Cummings LS, Purnell TS
The case for prioritizing diversity in the transplantation workforce to advance kidney health equity.
The authors of this article propose a more diverse transplant workforce to address the problem of kidney transplant inequity. Black patients are disproportionately affected by kidney failure and systemic barriers to kidney transplantation such as delayed referrals, which may be due to clinician bias. Workforce diversity would help to alleviate the harm of implicit biases.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Butler T, Cummings LS, Purnell TS .
The case for prioritizing diversity in the transplantation workforce to advance kidney health equity.
J Am Soc Nephrol 2022 Oct; 33(10):1817-19. doi: 10.1681/asn.2022040429..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Transplantation, Workforce, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Alvarado F, Cervantes CE, Crews DC
Examining post-donation outcomes in Hispanic/Latinx living kidney donors in the United States: a systematic review.
The purpose of this systematic qualitative review was to evaluate outcomes in Hispanic donors and examine how Hispanic ethnicity was presented. In October 2021, the researchers reviewed PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus for studies, with 18 meeting the inclusion criteria. Across the studies, Hispanic donors ranged between 6% and 21% of the donor populations. The study found that Hispanic donors were not at increased risk for end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, non-pregnancy-related hospitalizations, overall perioperative surgical complications or post-donation mortality compared to non-Hispanic White donors. Also compared to non-Hispanic White donors, most studies showed Hispanic donors were at higher risk for diabetes mellitus following nephrectomy; however, mixed findings were observed regarding the risk for post-donation chronic kidney disease and hypertension. The researchers concluded that future studies should explain variation in health outcomes by considering and assessing differences within the Hispanic donor population.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Alvarado F, Cervantes CE, Crews DC .
Examining post-donation outcomes in Hispanic/Latinx living kidney donors in the United States: a systematic review.
Am J Transplant 2022 Jul;22(7):1737-53. doi: 10.1111/ajt.17017..
Keywords: Transplantation, Kidney Disease and Health, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities
Gianaris K, Vargas GB, Johnson M
Perceived susceptibility to chronic kidney disease and hypertension self-management among Black and White live kidney donors.
This study examines the theory whether Black kidney donors are more likely than White donors to develop hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease after donation. The authors ascertained electronic medical records and phone survey data from live donors enrolled in the multi-center Wellness and Health Outcomes of LivE Donors (WHOLE-Donor) Hypertension Care Study between May 2013 and April 2020. The study cohort included 318 US-based live kidney donors who developed post-donation HTN with 57.6% female, 78.9% White, 18.6% Black, and a mean age of 46.7 years. Donors with diabetes or who were older than 50 years reported being moderately or strongly concerned about kidney disease. A large majority (87%) reported taking at least one action to help control blood pressure, with no significant differences by sociodemographic factors. They found no substantial differences in perceived susceptibility to kidney disease among Black and White donors, despite published evidence that Black donors may experience greater risk of developing kidney disease than White donors.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Gianaris K, Vargas GB, Johnson M .
Perceived susceptibility to chronic kidney disease and hypertension self-management among Black and White live kidney donors.
Ethn Dis 2022 Spring;32(2):101-08. doi: 10.18865/ed.32.2.101..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Transplantation, Patient Self-Management, Blood Pressure
Krissberg JR, Kaufmann MB, Gupta A
Racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplantation under the new Kidney Allocation System in the United States.
This study aimed to assess how implementation of the 2014 Kidney Allocation System (KAS) affected racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric kidney transplantation access and related outcomes. The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of children <18 years of age active on the kidney transplant list from 2008 to 2019 using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Results found that all children experienced longer wait times from activation to transplantation post-KAS. Although they found that Black and Hispanic children and other children of color experienced longer times from activation to transplant compared with White children in both eras; this finding was largely attenuated after multivariable analysis. Multivariable analysis also showed that racial and ethnic disparities in time from dialysis initiation to transplantation in the pre-KAS era were lessened in the post-KAS era. No disparities were found in odds of delayed graft function, however Black and Hispanic children experienced longer times with a functioning graft in the post-KAS era.
AHRQ-funded; HS026128.
Citation: Krissberg JR, Kaufmann MB, Gupta A .
Racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplantation under the new Kidney Allocation System in the United States.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2021 Dec; 16(12):1862-71. doi: 10.2215/cjn.06740521..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Kidney Disease and Health, Transplantation
Nguyen KH, Thorsness R, Hayes S
Evaluation of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in initiation of kidney failure treatment during the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on initiation of kidney failure treatment during the first 4 months of the pandemic with a focus on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities. The study population included 127,149 patients with incident kidney failure between January 2018 and June 2020. The mean age of patients was 62.8 years, and were 41.7% female, 25.9% non-Hispanic Black and 15.6% Hispanic/Latino. There were significant decreases in the proportion of patients with incident kidney failure receiving preemptive transplantation and initiating hemodialysis treatment with an arteriovenous fistula during the first 4 months of the pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. These decreases were most significant among non-Hispanic Black patients. There were also significant decreases in patients residing in counties in the highest quintile of COVID-19 mortality rates, but not for patients residing in other counties. Treatment initiation was approximately 30% lower than projected in April 2020.
AHRQ-funded; HS028285.
Citation: Nguyen KH, Thorsness R, Hayes S .
Evaluation of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in initiation of kidney failure treatment during the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Oct;4(10):e2127369. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27369..
Keywords: COVID-19, Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities
Akwo EA, Robinson-Cohen C, Chung CP
Association of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension with differential risk of end-stage kidney disease across racial groups in the million veteran program.
Apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (ATRH) has been linked to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and cardiovascular disease. In this study, the investigators tested the hypothesis that the effect of ATRH on ESKD is greater in Black patients than in White patients and investigated the effect of ATRH on ESKD independent of APOL1 genotype. The investigators concluded that ATRH was associated with an elevated risk of adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. The effect of ATRH on incident ESKD was magnified among patients with reduced kidney function as well as Black patients, independently of APOL1 genotype.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Akwo EA, Robinson-Cohen C, Chung CP .
Association of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension with differential risk of end-stage kidney disease across racial groups in the million veteran program.
Hypertension 2021 Aug;78(2):376-86. doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16181..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Kim D, Lee Y, Thorsness R
Racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths among persons with kidney failure during the COVID-19 pandemic, March-July 2020.
This national study estimated excess deaths for the kidney failure population by race and ethnicity from March 1 through August 1, 2020. Findings showed that, among the US kidney failure population, the number of excess deaths was 16% higher than expected, similar to reports for the general population. However, results showed that the relative increase in deaths among Black and Hispanic patients was more than 4-fold higher than that observed among White patients. The magnitude of these disparities was larger than corresponding relative ratios reported among COVID-19–associated deaths in the general population.
AHRQ-funded; HS028285.
Citation: Kim D, Lee Y, Thorsness R .
Racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths among persons with kidney failure during the COVID-19 pandemic, March-July 2020.
Am J Kidney Dis 2021 May;77(5):827-29. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.02.003..
Keywords: COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Mortality, Kidney Disease and Health, Chronic Conditions, Social Determinants of Health
Lee H, Caldwell JT, Maene C
Racial/ethnic inequities in access to high-quality dialysis treatment in Chicago: does neighborhood racial/ethnic composition matter?
Investigators examined whether neighborhood racial composition contributes to racial/ethnic inequities in access to high-quality dialysis care in Chicago. Data from the United States Renal Data System was merged with the ESRD Quality Incentive Program file and the American Community Survey (2005-2009) for facility and neighborhood characteristics. The investigators concluded that expanding opportunities for Blacks and Hispanics to gain access to racially integrated and minority neighborhoods may help alleviate racial/ethnic inequities in access to quality care among kidney disease patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS00078.
Citation: Lee H, Caldwell JT, Maene C .
Racial/ethnic inequities in access to high-quality dialysis treatment in Chicago: does neighborhood racial/ethnic composition matter?
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2020 Oct;7(5):854-64. doi: 10.1007/s40615-020-00708-8..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care, Urban Health, Dialysis, Disparities, Quality of Care, Kidney Disease and Health
Crews DC, Purnell TS
COVID-19, racism, and racial disparities in kidney disease: galvanizing the kidney community response.
This article and associated podcast discussed racial disparities in kidney disease and COVID-19, including Geronimus’ weathering hypothesis, structural racism, and the role of nephrologists.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Crews DC, Purnell TS .
COVID-19, racism, and racial disparities in kidney disease: galvanizing the kidney community response.
J Am Soc Nephrol 2020 Aug;31(8):1-3. doi: 10.1681/asn.2020060809..
Keywords: COVID-19, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Kidney Disease and Health
Purnell TS, Bae S, Luo X
National trends in the association of race and ethnicity with predialysis nephrology care in the United States From 2005 to 2015.
Predialysis nephrology care is associated with better survival among patients with end-stage kidney disease. The purpose of this study was to examine national trends in racial/ethnic disparities in receipt of predialysis nephrology care at least 1 year before dialysis initiation in the United States from 2005 to 2015. The study findings suggested that national strategies to address racial/ethnic disparities in predialysis nephrology care are needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Purnell TS, Bae S, Luo X .
National trends in the association of race and ethnicity with predialysis nephrology care in the United States From 2005 to 2015.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Aug;3(8):e2015003. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15003..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Dialysis, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Chronic Conditions, Disparities
Muzaale AD, Massie AB, Al Ammary F
Donor-recipient relationship and risk of ESKD in live kidney donors of varied racial groups.
Risk factors for kidney failure are the basis of live kidney donor candidate evaluation. In this retrospective cohort study, the investigators quantified risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by the biological relationship of the donor to the recipient, a risk factor that is not addressed by current clinical practice guidelines. The investigators found that marked differences in risk for ESKD across types of donor-recipient relationship were observed for Asian, black, and white donors.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Muzaale AD, Massie AB, Al Ammary F .
Donor-recipient relationship and risk of ESKD in live kidney donors of varied racial groups.
Am J Kidney Dis 2020 Mar;75(3):333-41. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2019.08.020..
Keywords: Transplantation, Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Registries
Kumar K, Tonascia JM, Muzaale AD
Racial differences in completion of the living kidney donor evaluation process.
Racial disparities in living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) persist, but the most effective target to eliminate these disparities remains unknown. The researchers investigated delays during completion of the live donor evaluation process. They concluded that delays may be a manifestation of the transplant candidate's social network and recommended targeted efforts to optimize networks for identification of donor candidates in order to address LDKT disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Kumar K, Tonascia JM, Muzaale AD .
Racial differences in completion of the living kidney donor evaluation process.
Clin Transplant 2018 Jul;32(7):e13291. doi: 10.1111/ctr.13291..
Keywords: Transplantation, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Kidney Disease and Health
Purnell TS, Luo X, Cooper LA
Association of race and ethnicity with live donor kidney transplantation in the United States from 1995 to 2014.
This study estimated changes over time in racial/ethnic disparities in live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) in the United States, accounting for differences in death and deceased donor kidney transplantation. Among adult first-time kidney transplantation candidates in the United States who were added to the deceased donor kidney transplantation waiting list between 1995 and 2014, disparities in the receipt of live donor kidney transplantation increased from 1995-1999 to 2010-2014.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Purnell TS, Luo X, Cooper LA .
Association of race and ethnicity with live donor kidney transplantation in the United States from 1995 to 2014.
JAMA 2018 Jan 2;319(1):49-61. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.19152.
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Keywords: Disparities, Kidney Disease and Health, Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Transplantation
Shafi T, Powe NR, Meyer TW
Trimethylamine N-oxide and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.
This study determined the association of the proatherogenic metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) with cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients and assessed whether this association differs by race. It found that, compared with blacks in the same quintile, whites in the highest quintile for TMAO (>/=135 muM) had a 4-fold higher risk of cardiac or sudden cardiac death and a 2-fold higher risk of any-cause death.
AHRQ-funded; HS008365.
Citation: Shafi T, Powe NR, Meyer TW .
Trimethylamine N-oxide and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.
J Am Soc Nephrol 2017 Jan;28(1):321-31. doi: 10.1681/asn.2016030374.
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Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cardiovascular Conditions
Lipworth L, Morgans AK, Edwards TL
Renal cell cancer histological subtype distribution differs by race and sex.
The researchers examined racial differences in the distribution of histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and associations with established RCC risk factors by subtype. They observed marked racial differences in the proportional subtype distribution of RCCs diagnosed at a large tertiary care academic centre. To their knowledge, no previous study has examined racial differences in the distribution of RCC histologies while adjusting for ESRD.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Lipworth L, Morgans AK, Edwards TL .
Renal cell cancer histological subtype distribution differs by race and sex.
BJU Int 2016 Feb;117(2):260-5. doi: 10.1111/bju.12950.
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Keywords: Cancer, Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Scialla JJ, Parekh RS, Eustace JA
Race, mineral homeostasis and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis.
In this study, the researchers determined the race-specific relationship between mineral parameters and mortality in patients initiating hemodialysis. They concluded that aberrant phosphorus homeostasis, reflected by higher phosphorus and FGF23, may be a risk factor for mortality in patients initiating hemodialysis, particularly among African Americans.
AHRQ-funded; HS08365.
Citation: Scialla JJ, Parekh RS, Eustace JA .
Race, mineral homeostasis and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis.
Am J Nephrol 2015;42(1):25-34. doi: 10.1159/000438999.
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Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Mortality, Kidney Disease and Health