Prevalence of family history of kidney disease and perception of risk for kidney disease: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
A family history of kidney disease is associated with an increased risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, it is unclear whether blacks are more likely to have a family history of ESRD than other groups independently of kidney disease risk factors. Moreover, their risk perception for kidney disease is unknown.


METHODS
The association of race with family history of ESRD and perception of risk for kidney disease was examined in a representative random sample of 402 Georgia residents who completed a telephone interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to derive adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between race and family history of ESRD, controlling for age, sex, education level, being a Georgia native, diabetes, hypertension, and personal history of kidney disease. A multinomial logit model was used to derive adjusted estimates for the association between race and perception of risk for kidney disease.


RESULTS
Mean age was 43.2 years, 41.0% of respondents were men, 20.1% were black, 6.6% had diabetes, 21.4% had hypertension, 1.6% had a personal history of kidney disease, and 3.7% reported a family member with ESRD. Although blacks were more likely to report a family history of ESRD (odds ratio, 6.43; 95% confidence interval, 2.02 to 20.43), their perception of risk was not greater.


CONCLUSIONS
Although blacks are approximately 6 times as likely to report a family history of ESRD independently of a personal history of kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension, they do not perceive themselves as more vulnerable for kidney disease.
Jurkovitz
Claudine
C
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. claudine.jurkovitz@emory.edu
Hylton
Tara N
TN
McClellan
William M
WM
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires