Results & Feedback: What has ARDAC found?
The first phase of the ARDAC Study (2002-2007) found that:
- There was no increase in the urinary markers for chronic kidney disease in Aboriginal children
- Risk factors for chronic kidney and heart disease such as overweight and obesity were common amongst both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children
- There were no significant differences for any of the study outcomes (protein and blood in the urine, obesity & high blood pressure), between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children
- This suggests end-stage kidney disease in Aboriginal people may be preventable during early adult life
These results were surprising considering the health differences that exist in adults and suggest that chronic kidney disease may be preventable if appropriate interventions can be developed and implemented during adolescence and early adult life.
The second phase of the ARDAC study (2008-2012) found that:
- Traditional risk factors (high blood pressure, proteinuria and overweight/obesity) for chronic disease are common but not different for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal primary school children; however, as participants enter into adolescence disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants start to appear
- Using BMI results, Aboriginal girls were heavier than non-Aboriginal girls and had higher rates of overweight/obesity
- Overweight or obese Aboriginal girls were more likely to have albuminuria and therefore at greater risk of kidney disease compared to non-Aboriginal girls
- For Aboriginal boys, unlike non-Aboriginal boys, being better off financially didn't protect them from being overweight or obese
The results of the third phase of the ARDAC study (2013-2017) will be analysed on completion of this period.
