Novel markers to improve the detection of declining kidney function

Patients with end-stage kidney disease can be treated with long-term dialysis or receive a kidney transplant. Research has shown that patients who receive a kidney transplant have an improvement in survival and quality of life. Unfortunately, over a third of transplants fail prematurely. In this study, we will determine if new markers of kidney function are more accurate at detecting a loss of kidney function than our current methods. If these new markers are more accurate, it will allow us to detect kidney damage earlier so that we can interevne with new therapies. With the earlier introduction of therapies it is likely that that damage to the transplant kidney can be reduced leading to fewer failed transplants. Reducing the number of patients who must return to dialysis will lead to a great improvement in survival and quality of life for the growing number of patients with end-stage kidney disease. This would represent an important advance in the management of this very disabling and lethal long-term condition.