title: The chronic kidney disease outcomes and practice patterns study Brazil (CKDopps-Brazil): design, data and methodology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The chronic kidney disease outcomes and practice patterns study (CKDopps) is an international observational, prospective, cohort study involving patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, with a major focus upon care during the advanced CKD period (eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2)]. During a 1-year enrollment period, each one of the 22 selected clinics will enroll up to 60 advanced CKD patients (eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and not dialysis-dependent) and 20 earlier stage CKD patients (eGFR between 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2).
  
  
  METHODS
  age < 18 years old, patients on chronic dialysis or prior kidney transplant. The study timeline include up to one year for enrollment of patients at each clinic starting in the end of 2013, followed by up to 2-3 years of patient follow-up with collection of detailed longitudinal patient-level data, annual clinic practice-level surveys, and patient surveys. Analyses will apply regression models to evaluate the contribution of patient-level and clinic practice-level factors to study outcomes, and utilize instrumental variable-type techniques when appropriate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Launching in 2013, CKDopps Brazil will study advanced CKD care in a random selection of nephrology clinics across Brazil to gain understanding of variation in care across the country, and as part of a multinational study to identify optimal treatment practices to slow kidney disease progression and improve outcomes during the transition period to end-stage kidney disease.
authors.affiliation: Steering committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Bueno
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Steering committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.
authors.forename: Antonio Alberto
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Steering committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sesso
authors.affiliation: Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ludimila G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: de Campos
authors.affiliation: CKDopps Coordinating Center, Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.affiliation: Steering committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.
authors.forename: Jocemir R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lugon
authors.affiliation: CKDopps Coordinating Center, Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: CKDopps Coordinating Center, Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Pisoni
authors.affiliation: Steering committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.
authors.forename: Roberto F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Pecoits-Filho
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome