Underrepresentation of Renal Disease in Randomized Controlled Trials of Cardiovascular Disease.

The article discusses the underrepresentation of chronic renal disease in randomized controlled trials of cardiovascular disease. Nine million people in the United States population have chronic kidney disease. And of these many have cardiovascular disease (CVD), specifically coronary artery disease and chronic congestive heart failure. Recent studies suggest that renal disease independently portends increased morbidity and mortality in CVD. Because renal disease is so prevalent in CVD and the pathophysiologic processes so different from those with normal renal functions, it is important to have data on the subgroup of renal diseases. Patients with renal diseases must not be excluded, but included in CVD trials which need to be designated for this population of chronic renal patients.