Elizabeth C. Lorenz, M.D.

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SUMMARY

Improving the long-term survival of kidney transplant recipients is a national priority given the increasing prevalence of end-stage renal disease and current organ shortage. The research interests of Elizabeth C. Lorenz, M.D., focus on improving the ability to identify, monitor and treat modifiable risk factors for adverse long-term outcomes after kidney transplantation through the use of innovative biomarkers and interventions.

Focus areas

• Frailty. Pre-transplant frailty is a risk factor for numerous adverse outcomes after kidney transplantation. However, little is known about post-transplant frailty. Dr. Lorenz's research is focused on identifying frailty trajectories and biomarkers after kidney transplantation. She is also interested in developing exercise interventions to treat frailty in kidney transplant patients.
• Treatment burden. Treatment burden is the work involved in managing one's health and the impact of that work on patient well-being. Excess treatment burden can contribute to decreased adherence and quality of life in patients with multiple medical conditions. Dr. Lorenz is examining treatment burden in patients who undergo kidney transplants and adapting a treatment burden survey for use after kidney transplantation.

Significance to patient care

Despite the proven benefits of exercise on frailty and physical function, many recipients of kidney transplants are sedentary and frequently do not receive guidance from transplant centers regarding how to improve their physical activity level. Dr. Lorenz is hoping to develop tools that patients can use to improve their physical function, quality of life and long-term outcomes after kidney transplantation.

Professional highlights

• Recipient, K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 2019-2024
• Health Care Delivery Scholar, Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, 2016-2019