Researchers studied whether a broad genetic test could help diagnose and manage chronic kidney disease (CKD). They enrolled 1,388 adult patients with CKD from various medical centers and tested them using a panel that looks for changes in 385 genes. The study followed patients for one year after testing to see how the results affected their care.
In the study, about 24% of patients (335 people) had a positive genetic finding. For patients with a positive result, their doctors reported that the genetic information was helpful or changed their management plan 86% of the time. Even for patients with a negative result, doctors said the test was helpful 42% of the time. The test also led doctors to change their five-year outlook on the disease for 55% of patients with a positive result and 18% with a negative result.
It is important to be cautious about these results. The study did not have a control group, meaning there was no comparison to patients who did not get genetic testing. The reported benefits are based on what doctors said on questionnaires, not on measured improvements in patient health outcomes like kidney function or survival. The study also did not report on any safety concerns or side effects from the testing process.
For now, this research suggests genetic testing may provide useful information for some people with CKD and their doctors. However, more research with comparison groups is needed to understand if this testing actually leads to better long-term health for patients.