Overview

Topic: Chronic Kidney Disease; End-Stage Renal Disease; Transplantation; Health Services Research
Dataset Type: Population-based; Cross-sectional with longitudinal components
Expertise Required: 🎓🎓 (Intermediate)
Cost: Free
Dataset Summary

The U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) is a national data system funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) that monitors the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States.

USRDS integrates national data from sources such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). It provides annual data reports summarizing incidence, prevalence, mortality, and treatment patterns, and also offers detailed dataset files to approved investigators.

Caveats
  • Access to detailed datasets requires submission of a project proposal and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
  • Data integration from multiple sources may require familiarity with administrative claims and registry data structures.
  • Primarily reflects individuals captured through national reporting systems, including Medicare beneficiaries.
  • Complex data structure may require advanced data management skills.
Examples of Outcomes Examined
  • Mortality among patients with CKD and ESRD
  • Prescription drug coverage and utilization
  • Dialysis modality trends
  • Kidney transplant rates and outcomes
  • Geographic and demographic variation in kidney disease burden

Back to Dataset Compendium

Topic

Health Systems & Delivery Research, Social Determinants of Health, Vulnerable Populations

Resource Type

Dataset

Share

Get This Resource

Related Resources