Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project Year 4 + Roadmap Release

On July 28, 2021 the American Kidney Fund's (AKF) Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project convened stakeholders to address the problem of people developing chronic kidney disease or kidney failure without ever receiving an accurate diagnosis of the cause. Studies suggest the cause of kidney failure is unknown for between 5 and 20 percent of patients. But an accurate, timely diagnosis of an individual's kidney disease etiology can reduce stress and provide an opportunity for patients to seek more information from providers and involve their broader support system. It can also assist patients and their providers in seeking earlier interventions to mitigate or slow the progression of their disease and to develop appropriate treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of the patient. In addition, a diagnosis allows providers to inform patients of any genetic based susceptibility for family members. As part of this project, AKF convened a summit of more than 100 stakeholders in Dec. 2020 to define the problem and develop proposed solutions. During this panel discussion, AKF release the consensus results from that summit: a Roadmap that lays forth an aspirational plan for getting every patient a confirmatory diagnosis as to the cause of their kidney disease. AKF, and its partners, are working together to bring this plan to life.

Topics included: 

• An overview of the burdens and consequences of having kidney disease of unknown origin
• Different stakeholders' perspectives on how kidney disease of unknown origin affects them
• The outcomes from the Summit and a look at our Roadmap that will outline our plan of proposed solutions