The KidneyCARE (Community Access to Research Equity) Study

For chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is a lack of unique and powerful platform for patient engagement, research studies and public health advocacy work. The National kidney Foundation (NKF) launched the first nationwide registry for people at all stages and types of CKD, including people on dialysis and kidney transplant recipients, called the NKF Patient Network (NKFPatientNetwork.org). The NKF Patient Network is a non-interventional research study which means participants will not have to take medications or do any additional tests to participate. They are simply asked to share some personal and health information, and their experiences with their disease through a secure portal. The Network also collaborates with health systems to obtain additional electronic health records (EHR) data. This unique combination of data collected will address the gap of individualized educational resources and will enhance clinical research, clinical care, and health policy decisions to be centered on the patient. The NKF Patient Network is all online and can be accessed any time of day at NKFPatientNetwork.org. Participation is voluntary and free.

The NKF Patient Network is a longitudinal prospective and retrospective observational cohort study of patient-entered data that collaborates with health systems to obtain additional electronic health records (EHR) data. The NKF Patient Network is approved by the Tufts Health Sciences Institutional Review Board, which serves as the IRB of record for all U.S. sites. The NKF Patient Network will start patient recruitment outside of the U.S. in 2022. The first international country will be Canada. The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada is the Coordinating Site for all Canadian sites.

De-identified aggregate data is available for analysis to the NKF and the partners of the NKF Patient Network via analytic portals, dashboards, and/or subscription reports depending on contractual agreements. The individual site's data will be segregated from the rest of the registry, but the de-identified aggregate data can still be included in the overall registry's dashboard, reports, and analytics. Research proposals by partners and outside investigators that require advanced statistical analysis for publications in peer-reviewed journals, abstracts, and/or posters must be submitted and approved according to the Data Use and Publications policy. The Data Coordinating Center (DCC) conducts the statistical analyses for all approved research proposals.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with any stage of CKD, including kidney transplant recipients and patients on dialysis.
* Age 18 years and above.
* Willing to participate in the NKF Patient Network and complete the informed consent form and assent form (where applicable).
* Able to participate in this NKF Patient Network, which initially will be in English and then eventually expand to other languages.
* Patients affiliated with Geisinger Health System must have given their consent to Geisinger Health System IRB to be contacted for research projects.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient not diagnosed with CKD
* Age below 18 years
* Not willing to participate in the NKF Patient Network as well as unwilling to complete the informed consent form