As kidney function declines, anemia becomes more common.
Kidney Disease
A major cause of morbidity and mortality in the US
Kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million people in the US. Notably, more than 800,000 people have end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), requiring either maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival. Today, more than 550,000 people in the US—and more than 2 million people worldwide—undergo dialysis. The societal cost of kidney disease, both in quality-adjusted life-years lost and public dollars expended, is enormous. However, there is great potential for improved outcomes. New medications indicated to slow the progression of kidney disease, numerous political initiatives, new technologies to improve access to home dialysis, and a growing number of kidney transplants each year portend improved outcomes in the future. Detailed study of the epidemiology of kidney disease, as well as the evaluation of related treatments and policies, is needed to pave the way. Our areas of expertise lie in many domains, including anemia, home dialysis, pharmacoepidemiology, and ESKD policy.
Mission & Vision
For more than two decades, a core mission of the Chronic Disease Research Group (CDRG) has been the study of kidney disease epidemiology using large administrative databases, including Medicare and employer group health plan databases such as Truven MarketScan. These efforts have resulted in more than 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals and innumerable abstracts, posters, and oral presentations at national and international meetings.
USRDS Contractor
CDRG continues its interest in kidney disease epidemiology by administering the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) contract.
Blog
The Real World: Chronic Disease Research Group
In another time, a title like “The Real World” might evoke thoughts about MTV. But times have changed. In today’s medical research, “The Real World” now conjures associations about an altogether different acronym: FDA, or US Food and Drug Administration...