Reducing re-hospitalizations and graft loss for kidney transplant patients

Chronic kidney disease is a type of kidney disease that implies a gradual loss of kidney function over a period of months to years and can cause renal failure, morbidity, and death. It affects from 3% to 17% of the population across the European Union, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The Kidney Disease pilot, led by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin within the BigMedilytics project, aims to reduce hospitalizations and graft loss (the absence of kidney function) for kidney transplant patients.

The pilot focuses on Germany where malfunction or rejection of transplanted kidneys causes a high financial burden for the healthcare system. According to the last figures, in 2017 Germany faced more than €3 billion of costs for patients with chronic kidney failure.

An improper follow of therapy or medical advice by patients is one of the main reasons for transplant rejections, but there can be other unknown motives. Monitoring the correct following by patients (known as ‘adherence’) is paramount to improve outcomes and reduce cost.

The pilot uses big data analytics and machine learning to help reveal patterns and risk factors that are relevant for long-term transplant survival.

The Kidney Disease pilot is part of the first theme Population Health and Chronic Disease Management tackled by the BigMedilytics project. The organisations Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DFKI – German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, AOK, Hasso Plattner Institut, and Essen University Hospital participate in this pilot.