J Natl Med Assoc
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Despite multiple efforts, African American women continue to be inadequately represented in clinical research while being overrepresented in disease, producing research results with limited generalizability to this specific population. Our understanding of the barriers to participation in clinical trials among racial/ethnic minority patients in general has evolved, but few studies have examined the reasoning behind African American women's decision to not participate in clinical trials. ⋯ A targeted and comprehensive understanding of the barriers impacting African American women's decision to participate in clinical research informs population-specific recruitment and research strategies for future studies. Additional studies assessing barriers to clinical trial research participation that intentionally report on disaggregated data by not only race/ethnicity but also sex are essential to improving the risk/benefit profile for a wide range of prevention and treatment efforts. This improved understanding of the differences between subgroups within minority populations has implications for bolstering culturally sensitive messages to enhance the engagement of minority communities in clinical trial research.
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Diabetes and hypertension are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population as well as in the Black and African American population, who also suffer from high rates of CKD and CKD progression compared to the White population. Progression of CKD can lead to kidney failure, and patients with progressive kidney disease have a high risk of premature mortality, particularly from cardiovascular disease. ⋯ It is important to note that lifestyle modification including regular exercise, diet, and smoking cessation are first-line in the management of diabetes and hypertension. When CKD occurs, co-management by providers using a comprehensive strategy may avert early complications and facilitate appropriate early referral for nephrology specialty care.
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Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem associated with increased health costs, morbidity, and mortality. There is a 30-fold higher mortality rate and severely impaired quality of life in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), requiring dialysis or kidney transplant compared to the aged-match general population. The early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric CKD can reverse, delay or prevent progression to advanced kidney disease. ⋯ The disparity in prevalence and severity of CKD is likely due to a complex interaction between biological and nonbiological risk factors that influence the development and progression of CKD in children of African descent. For example, high-risk alleles in the gene encoding for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) have been recognized as the most important factor in the high incidence of some chronic kidney diseases in African Americans. In this review, we will focus on the trends in the incidence of pediatric CKD and management strategies aimed at enhancing health outcomes and reducing disease progression.
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Review
"Can i donate a kidney?" Common questions and simplified answers to the prospective kidney donor.
For individuals with end stage kidney disease (ESKD), kidney transplantation is associated with reduced morbidity, mortality, and decreased health care costs. African Americans have higher rates of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and reduced access to transplantation compared to their White counterparts. One way to improve access to transplantation is by increasing the number of living donors. ⋯ Often individuals with ESKD are hesitant to inform loved ones about living donation out of concerns that their donors may feel pressured or may be harmed by donation. Even when patients discuss donation with loved ones, these potential donors may not seek information from their physicians. As an important first step, we provide general information about living donation to primary care physicians for their African Americans patients with ESKD and potential African American donors.