NKF Working Group Provides Guidance on Use of Genetic Testing for Kidney Diseases

A new report from a National Kidney Foundation (NKF) working group provides recommendations regarding the use of genetic testing for kidney diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often has genetic causes, yet genetic testing in nephrology has lagged behind other medical fields.

The working group’s final report, which was published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, includes 56 recommendations and charts to help clinicians identify patients who would benefit from testing, explain the rationale to the patient and their family, and provide follow-up for interpretation of results.

The group included experts in genetics, nephrology, kidney pathology, genetic counseling, and ethics and considered patient perspectives. It was co-chaired by Nora Franceschini, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Ali Gharavi, MD, of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Genetic testing can provide a more precise CKD diagnosis to better identify the appropriate level of care for the patient  and help determine the likely progression of the disease. It is also less invasive than advanced diagnostic techniques like kidney biopsies and can provide information on whether family members of the patient may develop the same condition.