Aims of eGFR3
  • What is the long-term change in kidney function since the first kidney health assessment in 2007-2011?
  • Was there any major change in kidney function for people who were healthy, or had diabetes, or had mild-moderate kidney damage since the first kidney health assessment?
  • What are common reasons people with kidney disease access hospital care?
  • What are the impacts of an Indigenous-led eGFR3 study governance model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kidney health?

Aims of eGFR2 
  • To assess the evolution of kidney disease in an Indigenous Australian cohort from the regions of Australia with the greatest burden of End Stage Kidney Disease
  • To perform community consultation and design appropriate interventions to reduce progression of chronic kidney disease in Indigenous Australians.
Aim of eGFR1

  • To determine an accurate and reliable test of kidney function in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

Summary:

The eGFR study is a longitudinal study of kidney damage in a cohort of 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults from across the Northern Territory (NT), Western Australia (WA) and Far North Queensland.

Phase 1 of the study (2008-2011) assessed the accuracy of estimated measures of kidney function in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Determining the accuracy of measures of eGFR in this population with a high burden of chronic kidney disease is particularly important both to underline the validity of other clinical research and to confirm or modify current clinical practice, because levels of kidney function correspond to pathophysiological changes which determine current clinical care pathways.

Phase 2 of the study (2012-2014) assessed the progression of markers of kidney damage (urine protein and eGFR) in this high-risk cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. The latter part of Phase 2 will also involve design of interventions in collaboration with communities and service providers and based on our findings of key factors contributing to rapid progression of chronic kidney disease. 

Phase 3 of the study (2020-2025) will partner researchers with community leaders and clinician leaders to report the long-term health outcomes and long-term changes in kidney function among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who were previously assessed at baseline (between 2007- 2011), and follow-up (between 2012- 2015). Using a third direct health assessment and linkage to health datasets, the eGFR3 Study outcomes will inform the health action response needed for optimal and sustained kidney health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our research has found:

Phase 1 of this study validated the kidney function test for use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, known as the CKD-EPI eGFR blood test. 

We reported this kidney function blood test was an accurate and reliable test of kidney function in Indigenous Australians, similar to reports that it is accurate and reliable in non-Indigenous Australians. We also showed that differences in body builds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians did not affect the accuracy of the kidney function blood test. 

Since 2012, health professionals have been confidently using the kidney function test nationwide.

Chief investigator eGFR3
Chief investigator eGFR2 and eGFR1
Project Manager:
  • Diana Mosca
Contact information:
Project dates:
  • eGFR1 Study (2008-2011)
  • eGFR2 Study (2012-2014)
  • eGFR3 Study (2020-2025)
Information for study participants:
  • The eGFR3 Study team are planning to follow up participants in late 2021 in the Top End region.