title: Use of Surrogate Outcomes in Nephrology Research.
abstract: Clinical trials are large and expensive and could require exceedingly long-term follow-up for subjects to reach clinically meaningful end points. To combat these methodologic issues, researchers sometimes use biomarkers as surrogate end points. A biomarker is an objectively measured characteristic that is indicative of some underlying phenomenon or process, while a surrogate is a biomarker that "takes the place" of a clinically meaningful outcome, usually earlier in the disease process. This paper reviews the history, strengths, and weaknesses of surrogate outcome use in clinical research and then discusses potential surrogate outcomes in nephrology research.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX. Electronic address: Joshua.A.Samuels@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samuels
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D009398:Nephrology / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Nephrology; Outcomes; Research; Research methods; Surrogate