Preserving Kidney Function in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease

Pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) results from health conditions that reduce kidney function for >3 months. It can progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), which requires dialysis or kidney transplant. In adults, CKD is common and caused mainly by hypertension and diabetes. CKD in childhood is rare and caused primarily by congenital anomalies of the genitourinary system and immune-mediated disorders. The best estimate of pediatric CKD prevalence is <1/15,000 pediatric population. Hypertension occurs in 50% of affected children and is a major risk factor for decline in kidney function. Several clinical practice guidelines have offered recommendations for blood pressure (BP) management in pediatric CKD; however, clinical trial and large-scale observational data are limited, leading to a weak evidence base and substantial practice variation. The purpose of PRESERVE is to provide new knowledge to inform shared decision-making regarding BP management for pediatric CKD. We will leverage the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research network (PCORnet®) infrastructure to conduct large-scale observational studies that will address BP management knowledge gaps for pediatric CKD and sub-groups for whom antihypertensive treatment and outcome associations may be different (e.g., cause of kidney disease and proteinuria).

The project's specific aims are:

Aim 1-Enhance the PCORnet Common Data Model (CDM) for pediatric and rare kidney disease research. We will expand and improve the PCORnet CDM with new pediatric- and kidney-specific variables, study-specific data quality optimization, and linkage with the chronic kidney disease in children (CKiD) cohort study and the US Renal Data System (USRDS). CKiD directly measures kidney function [ie, glomerular filtration rate (GFR)] and includes Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM). The USRDS provides complete capture of renal replacement therapy [(RRT) dialysis and transplant], two components of the primary clinical outcome.

Aim 2-Describe and examine the effectiveness of consistent BP and urine protein monitoring for preserving kidney function. We will describe the consistency of BP and urine protein monitoring and will contrast clinic BP assessments with ABPM. In longitudinal analyses, we will evaluate the effects of consistent monitoring of BP and urine protein on kidney function decline.

Aim 3-Compare the effectiveness of BP medication strategies for preserving kidney function. We will compare the effects of (1) BP levels when treatment was started, (2) choice of first-line therapies, and (3) ongoing BP control on kidney function decline. We will also assess adverse events related to hypertension management.

Aim 4-Assess patients' lived experiences related to BP management. We will field a survey that examines patient-centered outcomes by level of BP control and medication management approaches. This Aim will provide information on experiences with BP management from the perspectives of patients, parents, and clinicians that will complement the clinical outcomes studied in Aims 2 and 3.