Understanding kidney health changes in cystic fibrosis patients

Researchers want to understand why people with cystic fibrosis develop kidney disease more often than other people, and to find new ways to catch and prevent it early. This study will collect blood and urine samples from people with CF—both those coming for regular clinic visits and those admitted to the hospital for treatment—and compare them to healthy volunteers. By studying these samples, researchers hope to discover what causes kidney injury in CF and develop better ways to protect kidney function as people age.

Kidney disease happens much more often in people with cystic fibrosis than in the general population, but doctors don't fully understand why or how to detect it early enough to prevent serious damage. Standard kidney tests aren't sensitive enough to catch early injury, so this study aims to find new markers and understand the biological pathways involved so that kidney protection strategies can be developed.