Renal disease patterns in Aboriginal Australians: A family-based study in a high incidence community

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the apparent excess of renal disease in a coastal Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory and to explore its familial basis. Design: Families were ascertained through probands with significant proteinuria. Controls were selected from unrelated subjects living with these families. Participants: All surviving grandparents, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren of 16 probands were studied; there were 219 participants in all, including 58 adult control subjects. Main outcome measures: Anthropometric data included the body mass index (BMI), and resting blood pressure. Urinary protein and creatinine levels were measured and urine was examined microscopically f..