Elucidating the present and future of individuals with kidney disease: a multifaceted epidemiological approach

Abstract

Individuals with kidney disease constitute a highly heterogeneous poulation. Besides the European Renal Association (ERA) recognising 281 distinct etiologies of kidney damage, these individuals also differ in psychosocial aspects of their disease. As such, there is high potential for person-centred approaches to improve kidney care. Person-centred care is reliant on an individual’s medical history, but may be further strengthened by information about their current care and individual prognosis. This information may be collected using pharmaco- and predictive epidemiological methods. Thus, this thesis aimed to apply pharmaco- and predictive epidemiological methods to elucidate current treatment patterns and individual prognosis in individuals with kidney disease. Additionally, given the essentially of sound methodology, the third aim of this thesis was to provide methodological guidance.