Short Wave Should Black People Get Race Adjustments In Kidney Medicine?
Jan 13, 2021
Maria Godoy, NPR science correspondent, dives into the contentious topic of race adjustments in kidney medicine. She discusses how the common diagnostic tool, eGFR, may inadvertently reinforce systemic racism and worsen outcomes for Black patients. The conversation critiques the long-standing practice of modifying kidney function estimates based on race, questioning its validity. Godoy emphasizes the need for a shift towards using social determinants in health assessments, advocating for more equitable and accurate methodologies in kidney healthcare.
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Med Student Challenges Race-Based eGFR
- Naomi Mkinzi, a medical student, questioned the race adjustment in eGFR calculations during a lecture.
- She raised concerns about the physiological reasoning and implications for mixed-race individuals.
Origins of Race-Based eGFR
- The race adjustment in eGFR originated from a 1999 study with a small sample size of Black participants.
- This study linked higher creatinine levels in Black individuals to race, despite similar actual GFRs.
Critique of Race and Muscle Mass
- Dr. Vanessa Grubbs criticizes the notion of Black people having inherently more muscle mass than white people as racist and scientifically unsound.
- She highlights that socioeconomic factors and other variables might explain creatinine differences.