Researchers have introduced an innovative approach that may significantly enhance the management of chronic kidney disease. This new technique can forecast how the disease will evolve, leading to improved and more tailored treatments while minimizing the frequency of hospital visits.
A newly devised technique by researchers at Aarhus University has the potential to greatly improve the care of chronic kidney disease. This method can anticipate the disease’s progression, paving the way for more precise treatments and reducing the necessity for regular hospital appointments.
Scientists from Aarhus University have discovered a novel technique to identify patients with chronic kidney failure who may be at a higher risk of losing kidney function over time.
This technique involves examining the acid-base balance in urine samples, which can indicate early signs of acid accumulation—a situation detrimental to kidney health.
“Our research showed that the acid-base profiles in urine samples from chronic kidney disease patients differ greatly from those in healthy individuals. This observation led to the creation of a computational model linking various urine acid-base components to kidney function and disease progression,” states Mads Vaarby Sørensen, PhD and researcher in the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University.
Identifying imbalances early on
This innovative method enables healthcare providers to detect acid accumulation earlier than traditional blood tests allow.
As Mads Vaarby Sørensen notes, current biomarkers only detect acid buildup when it has become severe enough to influence the blood’s acid-base balance.
The new acid-base scoring system can identify urine imbalances much earlier in the progression of the disease.
Additionally, the method is highly accurate.
“We have tested our technique in several independent groups and found it to be very reliable, even when analyzing urine samples from the same patients over extended periods,” explains Peder Berg, MD, and postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University.
Less frequent hospital visits
This technique has the potential to revolutionize the way chronic kidney disease patients are monitored and treated.
It can differentiate between patients with stable kidney function and those who experience a rapid decline in kidney performance.
Chronic kidney disease impacts over ten percent of the adult population and puts significant strain on healthcare services.
“This new method could reduce the frequency of check-ups for stable patients, allowing healthcare resources to be redirected to those with more aggressive disease progression,” suggests Samuel Svendsen, a medical resident at the Department of Nephrology at Aarhus University Hospital.
Customized treatment plans
The research team is currently collaborating with various international partners to further their studies in this area.
In the near future, the researchers aim to validate their method with up to 4,000 patients in cooperation with major research institutions in Europe and America.
The long-term goal is to use this new approach to personalize the treatment of kidney disease.
“By predicting acid buildup sooner, we can implement acid-reducing treatments earlier, which could potentially extend the period before patients need dialysis,” explains Samuel Svendsen.
A promising tool for the future?
While this method is not yet part of standard clinical practices, researchers have created a device to automatically measure the relevant markers in urine.
This device is designed to integrate into the workflow of nephrology departments and is economical to operate.
“If this method proves beneficial for both patients and the healthcare system, it could evolve into a vital tool in managing chronic kidney disease in the future,” adds Mads Vaarby Sørensen.
