Traditionally, kidney health has been monitored by measuring blood creatinine levels, which indicate muscle breakdown, but this is usually only detectable once at least 75% of kidney function is lost. Credit: Shutterstock / Kexiar

Researchers at Seoul’s Chung-Ang University have developed a new, non-invasive method form of biosensor designed for the early detection of kidney disease through patient urine.

Traditionally, kidney health has been monitored by measuring blood creatinine levels, which indicate muscle breakdown, but this is usually only detectable once at least 75% of kidney function is lost. Now, researchers at the South Korean university have developed a system that instead tests for symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), a byproduct of protein breakdown found at a much earlier stage of kidney breakdown when more than 25% of the organ’s functionality has been lost.

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The announcement is supported by clinical research, published in ScienceDirect’s  Biosensors and Bioelectronics journal, with results finding the system to be more effective in detecting kidney failure over traditional blood test methods.

Study lead, Jong Pil Park, said: “Since kidney disease is often diagnosed very late, we aim to develop a sensing tool that patients or clinicians can use to easily monitor kidney health for effective treatment, enabling timely interventions and potential for long-term outcomes.”

The device consists of a chain of small peptides, specially designed to bind to SDMA by way of gold electrodes coated with the solution. The company claims that its new electrochemical biosensor is easier to use and does not require advanced equipment, compared to other methods of testing for SDMA such as chromatography.

Park added: “The sensor could facilitate earlier diagnosis, advanced monitoring of kidney function, and improved treatment outcomes for millions of patients worldwide. Moreover, our platform technology has the potential to be adapted for detecting other biomarkers, making it a versatile tool applicable across various areas of healthcare.”

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Research published in the BMC Public Health journal found that as of 2021, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Korea was approximately 8.4%, with the number of patients with the condition receiving medical treatment and healthcare expenses doubling over the prior ten years since 2011 with 110,000 and was estimated to increase to 280,000 by 2021.

Elsewhere in the chronic kidney disease market, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals has carried out a validation study of its new artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tool for diagnosing the condition. Meanwhile, digital health company, Everly Health, has introduced a comprehensive at-home collection kidney health test for the same indication.