Evaluating genetic diseases in nephrology, in kidney transplant candidates and living kidney donors

Evaluating genetic diseases in nephrology, in kidney transplant candidates and in living kidney donors
Description
Learning Objective #1
• Recognize the importance of making a genetic diagnosis in nephrology
Learning Objective #2
• Understand that testing living kidney donors for genetic disease, if done responsibly, can inform risk of future ESRD and improve decision making
Learning Objective #3
• Review case examples to illustrate the role and impact of genetic testing
A brief introduction will give a perspective of genetic testing compared to other techniques to advance diagnosis in kidney diseases. This will be followed by an overview of the benefits of testing on diagnosis, prognosis and management including post-transplant management. I will then cover the diagnosis rate of genetic testing for polycystic kidney disease and diagnosis rate in all comers with chronic kidney disease. Following this, I will discuss a testing algorithm for healthy asymptomatic people, biologically related to patients with possibly monogenic chronic kidney disease, who wish to be living kidney donors. Finally, I will use case examples to illustrate how genetic testing can and should be used in nephrology, kidney transplantation and living kidney donation.
Speaker #1
Christie P Thomas MD
Professor and Vice-Chair, Faculty Advancement, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Renal Genetics Clinic
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Iowa City, IA
[e-mail]
This session is focused on genetic testing in nephrology and transplantation and applies to diverse populations, although every community does not have equal access to genetic testing in the healthcare setting. As a result of this webinar, I hope that genetic counselors will have a better understanding of the role of genetic testing in nephrology and be able to apply it to people regardless of their socioeconomic status, background or ancestry.