title: The rationale and design of the AASK cohort study.
abstract: Hypertensive kidney disease commonly progresses. The primary objective of the AASK (African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension) Cohort Study is to determine prospectively the course of kidney function and risk factors for kidney disease progression in African Americans with hypertensive kidney disease who receive recommended anti-hypertensive therapy. The AASK Cohort Study is a prospective, observational study that is an extension of the AASK trial. The AASK trial tested the effects of three medications used as initial anti-hypertensive therapy (ramipril, metoprolol, and amlodipine) and two levels of BP control. Of the 1094 trial participants, approximately 650 to 700 individuals who have not reached ESRD will likely enroll in the Cohort Study. Risk factors to be studied include environmental, genetic, physiologic, and socioeconomic variables. The primary renal outcome is a composite clinical outcome defined by doubling of serum creatinine, ESRD, or death. Medication treatment for hypertension, beginning with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril, is offered to all participants. In this fashion, the study directly controls two of the major determinants of kidney disease progression: treatment of hypertension and use of renoprotective, anti-hypertensive medication. The minimum duration of follow-up in the Cohort Study is 5 yr (total of 9 to 12 yr, including the period of the AASK trial). Ultimately, data from the AASK Cohort Study should enhance our understanding of the risk factors and processes that determine the progression of kidney disease. Such results might eventually lead to new strategies that delay or prevent ESRD.
authors.affiliation: Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA. lappel@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Lawrence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Appel
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: Edgar R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipkowitz
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Lawrence Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Agodoa
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakris
authors.forename: Janice G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charleston
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gassman
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jamerson
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kusek
authors.forename: Julia A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Rostand
authors.forename: Jackson T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents