The Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND) is a multicenter study designed to identify genetic determinants of diabetic kidney disease. Study subjects were recruited from eleven centers and in many ethnic groups throughout the United States. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted with the Affymetrix 6.0 chip.

Subjects (index cases) with diabetes and kidney disease were initially recruited, and their parents and siblings were invited to participate. Genetic material from these participants was used to genotype markers throughout the genome.

For association-based testing, a case-control design was implemented with study subjects selected primarily from the index cases of the families. Unrelated controls were selected from families where a case was not already selected. Several study sites also contributed non-FIND subjects, both cases and controls (consent forms for the release of FIND and non-FIND subjects/samples are included in this dbGaP release).

Cases were selected if they met study ... (Show More)

The Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND) is a multicenter study designed to identify genetic determinants of diabetic kidney disease. Study subjects were recruited from eleven centers and in many ethnic groups throughout the United States. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted with the Affymetrix 6.0 chip.

Subjects (index cases) with diabetes and kidney disease were initially recruited, and their parents and siblings were invited to participate. Genetic material from these participants was used to genotype markers throughout the genome.

For association-based testing, a case-control design was implemented with study subjects selected primarily from the index cases of the families. Unrelated controls were selected from families where a case was not already selected. Several study sites also contributed non-FIND subjects, both cases and controls (consent forms for the release of FIND and non-FIND subjects/samples are included in this dbGaP release).

Cases were selected if they met study criteria for diabetic nephropathy or met inclusion criteria based on elevated serum creatinine levels and abnormal urine protein excretion. Similarly, controls were long-term diabetics with otherwise normal kidney function. See inclusion/exclusion criteria section for a detailed description for the FIND study as a whole and this GWAS.

The goal of the FIND study is to identify genes that influence susceptibility to diabetic kidney disease, leading to a better understanding of how kidney disease develops. In the long run, this may lead to improved treatment and prevention of diabetic kidney disease.