INCLUDE-CKD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
INCLUDE-CKD: INCLUsive Digital care for Chronic Kidney disease
IRAS ID
344581
Contact name
Sam Newman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects many people, particularly those from more deprived communities. Managing it well can slow the disease's progression. MyRenalCare is an APP that helps people with CKD check their blood pressure and symptoms at home, view their test results, and contact their renal team when needed. Early experience at the Wessex Kidney Centre suggests patients find it helpful and convenient, with many preferring it to routine clinic visits. A small pilot showed 93% of users would recommend it to others.
However, digital health tools can sometimes benefit younger, richer patients more than others. People from older age groups, ethnic minority backgrounds, or deprived areas may face barriers to using them. This study will examine whether MyRenalCare reaches and benefits people fairly across different backgrounds, or whether it risks widening health inequalities.
Over 12 months, we will analyse data from about 1,000 MyRenalCare users and 1,000 similar patients not using the platform. We will compare the age, sex, ethnicity, and area deprivation of users with the wider CKD population at the Wessex Kidney Centre. We will measure how often patients enter blood pressure readings, report symptoms, and message their clinical team – and whether this varies by background.
We will compare hospital admissions, clinic visits, kidney function changes, and progression to dialysis between MyRenalCare users and matched patients receiving usual care. We will estimate NHS costs and carbon emissions from patient travel, comparing digital care with traditional appointments. All data comes from hospital records and the MyRenalCare platform itself.I addition, we will interview 15–25 patients and 10–15 staff to understand experiences, barriers, and suggestions for making digital care more inclusive.
The findings will help the Wessex Kidney Centre decide how to offer MyRenalCare most fairly and effectively. They will also inform national NHS guidance on digital kidney care.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NW/0055
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion