NKF and ASN form joint task force to focus on use of race in eGFR

Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors Tests and procedures Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation Blood tests Health equity Race and ethnicity Glomerular filtration rate

August 24, 2020

In August of 2020, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) formed a joint task force to focus on the use of race to estimate GFR. For more information, please read the joint NKF-ASN statement on “Establishing a Task Force to Reassess the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Diseases.”

The NKF-ASN Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Disease, in consultation with an eGFR Advisory Board, plans to provide its initial recommendations in 2020. ASN and NKF leaders are very grateful to all those who are working on this effort, dedicating their time and expertise to ensure optimum patient care.

Co-chaired by Cynthia Delgado, MD, FASN, and Neil R. Powe, MD, FASN, the task force includes members with broad expertise, including (but not limited to) health and health care disparities, epidemiology and health services research, genetic ancestry, clinical chemistry, patient safety and performance improvement, pharmacology, and social sciences. The task force also includes two patients.

NKF-ASN Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Diseases

Cynthia Delgado, MD, FASN, Cochair

Neil R. Powe, MD, FASN, Cochair

Mukta Baweja, MD

Nilka Rios Burrows, MPH, MT

Deidra C. Crews, MD, FASN

Nwamaka D. Eneanya, MD , MPH, FASN

Crystal A. Gadegbeku, MD, FASN

Lesley Inker, MD

Mallika L. Mendu, MD, MBA

W. Greg Miller, PhD

Marva M. Moxey-Mims, MD, FASN

Glenda V. Roberts, MS

Wendy L. St. Peter, PharmD, FASN

Curtis Warfield, MS

 

Task Force Charge:

  • Examine the inclusion of race in the estimation of GFR and its implications for the diagnosis and subsequent management of patients with, or at risk for, kidney diseases.
  • Recognize that any change in eGFR reporting must consider the multiple social and clinical implications, be based on rigorous science, and be part of a national conversation about uniform reporting of eGFR across health care systems.
  • Attempt to incorporate the concerns of patients and the public, especially in marginalized and disadvantaged communities, while rigorously assessing the underlying scientific and ethical issues embedded in current practice.
  • Ensure that GFR estimation equations provide an unbiased assessment of kidney function so that laboratories, clinicians, patients, and public health officials can make informed decisions to ensure equity and personalized care for patients with kidney diseases.
  • Keep laboratories, clinicians, and other kidney health professionals apprised of any potential long-term implications of removing race from the eGFR formula.
  • Issue initial recommendations in 2020.

Questions? Please contact ASN Policy and Government Affairs Assistant Killian Gause at kgause@asn-online.org.