New Test Could Lead to Earlier and More Intensive Intervention for Patients with Early-Stage Diabetic Kidney Disease
Late-breaking presentations shared before thousands at virtual NKF 2021 Spring Clinical Meetings
April 7, 2021—New York, NY — Today, during the National Kidney Foundation’s annual Spring Clinical Meetings, attended by thousands of kidney health professionals, a study was presented of RenalytixAI’s new prognostic test that will make it easier to assess risk of progression and effectively treat early kidney disease in patients with type-2 diabetes.
Early diagnosis and treatment of comorbidities is critical for people with type-2 diabetes, to ensure the best outcome and to help slow progression of dangerous kidney disease. RenalytixAI’s test could lead to earlier and more intensive intervention compared to the current standard of care, for patients with early-stage diabetic kidney disease(DKD), the study found.
“In today’s world where comorbidities associated with diabetes are on the rise, if a simple test can enable early intervention to prevent progression of kidney disease, patients and physicians can be more confident about their treatment plans,” said lead investigator Manasi Datar, PhD, Director at Boston Healthcare Associates, who made the presentation. “Since our study found that the results from this test make it easier for physicians to make treatment decisions in their patients, putting this test in the hands of primary care physicians in real-world settings should be priority.”
KidneyIntelX uses an AI-based algorithm and EHR data to provide a risk score in patients with early-stage DKD before clinical symptoms appear, so early intervention can optimize treatment decisions, including medications that can protect patients’ kidneys and help them manage diabetes.
”In chronic kidney disease, and particularly diabetic kidney disease, we’ve had the tools—diagnostic biomarkers and effective medications—to prevent advanced kidney disease and kidney failure, for years,” said NKF Chief Scientific Officer Kerry Willis, PhD. “The challenge has been to get primary care physicians, who are seeing the majority of early-stage patients, to employ them consistently, and to recognize which patients are most likely to benefit from aggressive treatment. KidneyIntelX has the potential to remove this critical implementation barrier, so that more patients can receive the right care at the right time.”
Datar made the presentation, titled “Clinical Utility of a New Prognostic Test to Predict the Risk of Kidney Function Decline in Diabetic Kidney Disease Patients,” during a session at the 29th Annual 2021 Spring Clinical Meetings, which was held virtually for the second year due to COVID-19 restriction. The event is a chance for investigators to share their findings with professionals who attend the conference, which is one of the most respected gatherings of kidney professionals in the United States.
Hundreds of presentations are given including many considered to be ground-breaking research to improve the lives of kidney patients, eliminate preventable kidney disease, and improve eligibility and access to transplants. The work is often a springboard to further research or advancements in treatment.
RenalytixAI is an American artificial intelligence-enabled in vitro diagnostics company, focused on optimizing clinical management of kidney disease to drive improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
NKF Spring Clinical Meetings
For the past 29 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to NKF’s Spring Clinical Meetings to learn about the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice; network with colleagues; and present their research findings. The NKF Spring Clinical Meetings are designed for meaningful change in the multidisciplinary healthcare teams’ skills, performance, and patient health outcomes. It is the only conference of its kind that focuses on translating science into practice for the entire healthcare team. This year’s Spring Clinical Meetings will be held virtually April 6-10.
NKF Professional Membership
Healthcare professionals can join NKF to receive access to tools and resources for both patients and professionals, discounts on professional education, and access to a network of thousands of individuals who treat patients with kidney disease.
Kidney Disease Facts
In the United States, 37 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People who are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are almost 4 times more likely than Whites to have kidney failure. Hispanic or Latino people are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic or non-Latino people to have kidney failure.
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive, and longstanding patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. For more information about NKF, visit www.kidney.org.