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The Berlin initiative study: the methodology of exploring kidney function in the elderly by combining a longitudinal and cross-sectional approach

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Abstract

Epidemiologic data on incidence, prevalence and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression to kidney failure in people ≥70 years are scarce. This lack may have two reasons: First, the issue has only recently gained importance by the changing demographics characterized by an aging society. Secondly, a validated method for estimating kidney function in terms of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the elderly is still lacking. In this paper we describe the methodology of a combined longitudinal and cross-sectional approach of a population based study which will start in January 2010. The aims of the study are to identify prevalent and incident cases of CKD as well as co-morbidities and associated risk factors for progression of disease in this specific age-group. To assess prevalence, a new GFR estimation equation is to be developed. In a longitudinal approach a population based, age stratified sample of 2,000 subjects ≥70 years will be randomly drawn from a data base of a large health insurance company. Interview, physical examination, and preliminary estimation of GFR, based on serum creatinine will be performed. The entire cohort will be followed over the course of 2 years. In a cross-sectional approach a subsample of 600 subjects will be defined based on preliminary GFR values. Kidney function will be determined by measuring plasma clearance of an exogenous filtration marker (Iohexol). A new GFR-equation will be developed and validated using Iohexol clearance as gold standard to estimate GFR accurately and precisely. Data of 2,000 subjects will be used to estimate prevalence of CKD.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Andrej Woehrmann for his assistance in the quality assurance process and the manuscript preparation. Grant support: This work was supported by the KfH Foundation of Preventive Medicine (www.kfh-stiftung-praeventivmedizin.de), a non-profit organization supporting science and research in the field of prevention. Address: KfH-Stiftung Praeventivmedizin, Martin-Behaim-Strasse 20, 63263 Neu-Isenburg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, Charité University Medicine, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany

    Elke S. Schaeffner & Natalie Ebert

  2. Division of Nephrology, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany

    Markus van der Giet & Markus Tölle

  3. Division of Nephrology, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany

    Jens Gaedeke

  4. Department of Nephrology, Vivantes Klinikum am Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany

    Martin K. Kuhlmann

  5. Institute for Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité, Berlin, Germany

    Peter Martus

  6. Campus Virchow Klinikum, Division of Nephrology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Hospital, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany

    Elke S. Schaeffner

Authors
  1. Elke S. Schaeffner
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  2. Markus van der Giet
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  3. Jens Gaedeke
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  4. Markus Tölle
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  5. Natalie Ebert
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  6. Martin K. Kuhlmann
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  7. Peter Martus
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Correspondence to Elke S. Schaeffner.

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Schaeffner, E.S., van der Giet, M., Gaedeke, J. et al. The Berlin initiative study: the methodology of exploring kidney function in the elderly by combining a longitudinal and cross-sectional approach. Eur J Epidemiol 25, 203–210 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-010-9424-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-010-9424-x

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