Rationale and design of a nationwide prospective cohort study in type 2 diabetic kidney disease: the Korean Diabetic Kidney Disease (K-DKD) Cohort

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. In South Korea, DKD accounts for nearly half of all ESKD cases, yet prospective data reflecting the clinical characteristics of Korean patients remain limited. This study aims to investigate the clinical and biological features of DKD in Koreans and identify long-term prognostic indicators. Methods: The Korean Diabetic Kidney Disease (K-DKD) Cohort is a nationwide prospective multicenter study investigating the clinical, biochemical, and molecular determinants of DKD progression in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Approximately 1,300 participants will be enrolled from 15 university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data and outcome data are collected using a standardized electronic case report form at baseline and annually for up to 10 years. Blood and urine biospecimens are obtained at baseline and every 2 years thereafter for centralized storage and biospecimen analyses. Clustering analyses will identify the distinct clinical phenotypes of DKD, and long-term prognostic models will be developed on the basis of renal and cardiovascular outcomes using traditional and artificial intelligence-based approaches. Additionally, treatment patterns and management behaviors will be evaluated to understand the real-world clinical practices in Korean DKD. Discussion: The K-DKD Cohort will expand Korea's national big data and biobank platform into a DKD-focused prospective study that integrates standardized clinical and biospecimen data. It aims to facilitate biomarker discovery, data-driven risk prediction, and precision research in Korean patients with DKD.

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Publication Details

Journal
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
Published
2026-09-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.26.091
Primary Topic
Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Rationale and design of a nationwide prospective cohort study in type 2 diabetic kidney disease: the Korean Diabetic Kidney Disease (K-DKD) Cohort

Jeonghwan Lee, Cheol Whee Park, Ju-Young Moon, Mi‐Yeon Yu et al.
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes
article

Rationale and design of a nationwide prospective cohort study in type 2 diabetic kidney disease: the Korean Diabetic Kidney Disease (K-DKD) Cohort

Jeonghwan Lee, Cheol Whee Park, Ju-Young Moon, Mi‐Yeon Yu, Samel Park, Hyung Duk Kim, Jwa-Kyung Kim, Seung Seok Han, Kyubok Jin, Dae Ryong, Sang Youb Han, Yaeni Kim, Tae‐Hyun Yoo, So‐Young Lee, Won Kim, Eun Young Lee, Jin Joo, Sang Heon Song, on behalf of the K-DKD Working Group
article en

Abstract

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. In South Korea, DKD accounts for nearly half of all ESKD cases, yet prospective data reflecting the clinical characteristics of Korean patients remain limited. This study aims to investigate the clinical and biological features of DKD in Koreans and identify long-term prognostic indicators. Methods: The Korean Diabetic Kidney Disease (K-DKD) Cohort is a nationwide prospective multicenter study investigating the clinical, biochemical, and molecular determinants of DKD progression in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Approximately 1,300 participants will be enrolled from 15 university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data and outcome data are collected using a standardized electronic case report form at baseline and annually for up to 10 years. Blood and urine biospecimens are obtained at baseline and every 2 years thereafter for centralized storage and biospecimen analyses. Clustering analyses will identify the distinct clinical phenotypes of DKD, and long-term prognostic models will be developed on the basis of renal and cardiovascular outcomes using traditional and artificial intelligence-based approaches. Additionally, treatment patterns and management behaviors will be evaluated to understand the real-world clinical practices in Korean DKD. Discussion: The K-DKD Cohort will expand Korea's national big data and biobank platform into a DKD-focused prospective study that integrates standardized clinical and biospecimen data. It aims to facilitate biomarker discovery, data-driven risk prediction, and precision research in Korean patients with DKD.

Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
Seoul National University (KR), Yonsei University (KR), Korea University (KR), Soonchunhyang University (KR), St. Mary's Hospital (US), SNUH SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center (KR), Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital (KR), Pusan National University Hospital (KR), Hanyang University Guri Hospital (KR), CHA University Bundang Medical Center (KR), CHA University (KR), Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong (KR), Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital (KR), The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital (KR), Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital (KR), Keimyung University (KR), Jeonbuk National University (KR), Catholic University of Korea (KR)
Yuhan, National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, Korean Society of Nephrology
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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