In this case-cohort study nested within the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities ( ARIC ) study , baseline sRAGE levels were measured in a cohort random sample of participants without kidney disease ( n = 1218 ) , and among participants who developed incident chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) [ estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR ) < 60 mL/min/1 .73 m ( 2 ) and 25 % eGFR decline , n = 151 ] and end-stage renal disease ( ESRD ) [ entry in the US Renal Data System ( USRDS ) registry , n = 152 ] .