Hundreds of potential #kidney donors of Black African & Caribbean heritage can now get a simple blood test to help reduce risk of kidney failure, NHS England announced today.
The test has been made available nationally after a campaign led by members of our Kidney Disease Health Integration Team University of Bristol North Bristol NHS Trust. Well done to Dr Pippa Bailey, supported by lived experience public contributors. It’s amazing work that we are hugely proud of 🙌🏿
The NHS plans to carry out around 160 tests a year to identify people with ‘high-risk’ variants of a gene known as ‘APOL1’, common in people of Black African and Black Caribbean, and the test will help clinicians assess donor suitability and future risk of kidney failure.
Following APOL1 testing, those shown to be at high risk of developing kidney failure later in life, and who are under 60 years old, will be advised against kidney donation.
The genetic test for potential donors could also help prevent future kidney disease and reduce healthcare inequalities among people of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage who are more likely to develop kidney disease than those of White heritage.
Those found to be at higher risk of kidney disease will be able to receive regular monitoring and kidney check-ups as well as given advice around lifestyle changes and diet which can help reduce their risk of developing kidney disease in the future.
Each year around 1,000 people choose to donate one of their kidneys to someone with kidney failure.
People with two parents of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage are more likely to have kidney failure and to need a transplant than people of White heritage.
Research shows around three in five people with two high-risk genes develop kidney disease after donating a kidney.
The genetic test will look for the genes in all people of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage who are considering donating a kidney to help assess whether potential donors are at a higher risk of developing kidney failure in later life, providing more information about their suitability for donation – around 500 tests are expected to be undertaken over the next three years.
Testing is now available across the country with samples being sent to the South West and South East Genomic Laboratory Hubs for analysis.
The initiative is part of wider work to embed genomics in the NHS, including how genomic medicine can best serve diverse communities and reduce health disparities.
#donor #donation #genomics #health #inequalities
