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 = @ ) , and among participants who developed incident chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) -LSB- estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR ) < @ mL/min/@ @ m ( @ ) and @ % eGFR decline , n = @ -RSB- and end-stage renal disease ( ESRD ) -LSB- entry in the US Renal Data System ( USRDS ) registry , n = @ -RSB- .