Approved Research
Combined lifestyle, genetic susceptibility and the risk of accelerated kidney function decline.
Lay summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), characterized by consistent loss of kidney function for more than three months, affects around 10% of the total population. The influence of overall lifestyle behaviors on renal function, CKD related complications, and deterioration of kidney function remains unclear. To clarify the risk factors of loss of kidney function and the association among them is an important issue. In this study, we aim to investigate the associations of lifestyle factors, genetic susceptibility, as well as the synergies of lifestyles and genetics with risks of accelerated kidney function decline, and to explore the potential effects of metabolites on renal function. We plan to use the cohort data in UK Biobank. Rate of renal function decline of CKD patients will be determined according to biochemicals indicators. Socioeconomic characteristics, biochemical laboratory results, comorbidity, medication, genetic information, lifestyle behaviors such as habitual diet, alcohol intake, smoking status, physical activity and sleeping pattern would be acquired and evaluated. Genetic variants will be investigated to identify subgroups of CKD patients to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms that drive different progression trends. The association between lifestyles, potential related genes and stratified factors on the risk of declined renal function will be analyzed. We also propose to uncover some potential biomarkers mediating the interactions between lifestyle factors and rapid decline of renal function. We hope this 3-year project could help determine the appropriate lifestyles for CKD patients, identify risk factors for rapid deterioration of kidney function, and offer suggestions of interventions that are critical in preventing exacerbation of glomerular filtration rate. We hope that incorporating human genetic evidence and lifestyles into our prevention and therapeutic pipeline could contribute to slow down deterioration of kidney function, thus benefiting more patients.