Researchers have found more evidence proving those with first degree relatives who have kidney disease or more likely to come down with it as well. Kidneys filter the blood of wastes and toxins, allowing them to be expelled through urine. If the kidneys operate at reduced function or fail completely, the patient has CKD. There is no cure for CKD, except for transplant. It affects 10% to 13% of the adult population. Those with the condition are at a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and premature death.

In this study, participants who had a first-degree relative were found to have a higher risk for CKD than the general population. This result was independent of body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, a history of cardiovascular disease and whether they smoked or not. Researchers also found a 1.56 fold higher risk with those who had a spouse with CKD.

This seems to suggest there may be some shared environmental factors in addition to or possibly due to assortative mating. Heritability of eGFR was 44%, while heritability of UAE was 20%. Heritability ranged between 20 and 50% in terms of markers and serum electrolytes. For more of the latest kidney studies, be sure to subscribe to Healthy Kidney Inc.’s YouTube channel.