Association of afamin with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression - focusing on changes in kidney function decline in a large prospective cohort
Background
Afamin is a vitamin E-binding glycoprotein primarily expressed in liver and kidney. In two large, pooled analyses of up to 20,000 study participants, we showed that afamin concentrations are predictive for the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. In the first prospective study in over 5,000 patients with mild to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) we found that higher serum afamin concentrations are associated with a better kidney function and a lower risk for kidney failure defined by dialysis, transplantation or death due to untreated kidney failure. However, analyses investigating the effect of afamin on further relevant outcomes of kidney function decrease over time such as eGFR decline and eGFR slope in these patients are missing.
Hypothesis / Aims
This project aims to comprehensively evaluate the role of afamin in longitudinal kidney function decline in a large CKD-specific cohort using various statistical methods.
The following key hypotheses will be addressed:
- Is afamin associated with kidney filtration efficiency measured with the eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) based on different formulas?
- Is afamin associated with measures of kidney function decrease over time, namely eGFR decline and eGFR slope during a follow-up period of up to 8.5 years?
- Are afamin concentrations associated with a composite kidney endpoint (defined as a combination of severe function loss, dialysis, transplantation or death due to untreated kidney failure) and further endpoints such as acute kidney injury during a follow-up period of up to 8.5 years?
- Is there a different association of afamin with these kidney endpoints, when the population is stratified for different eGFR slope categories?
Analytical approach
Depending on the final objective of the work. In any case, statistical analysis will be done using R/RStudio (e.g. descriptive statistics, linear and logistic regression, time-to-event analyses using multivariable proportional hazard regression).
Requirements
Basic knowledge of statistical analysis and R/RStudio with an interest in the analysis of large data sets and chronic kidney disease. A reliable and independent working style is desirable. Depending on interests and prior knowledge, the exact topic of the bachelor’s thesis can be determined together in a prior informal meeting.
Time frame
Start possible from spring 2026 on, time schedule can be arranged flexibly.
Supervision
The thesis will be supervised by Assoc.-Prof. Barbara Kollerits, PhD at the Institute of Genetic Epidemiology.
Application
If you are interested, please send a brief informal application including your resume and a short motivation letter stating research interests by email to: barbara.kollerits@i-med.ac.at.
Contact
