Protein may be the key to explanation for racial disparities in kidney failure

Racial disparities in kidney failure

African Americans are more likely to excrete protein in their urine than Caucasians, a finding that may contribute to their much higher incidence of kidney failure, according to Emory researchers.

“Treating urinary protein excretion may help reduce racial disparities related to kidney failure as well as reduce the rate of progression of kidney failure for everyone,” says William McClellan, an Emory nephrologist who led the study.

Reasons why African Americans excrete more protein may be related to hypertension, obesity, smoking, vitamin D levels, and genetic differences, McClellan says.

The incidence of kidney failure in African Americans is nearly four times greater than in Caucasians.

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