High-sensitivity Troponin I Predicts Galectin-3 in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Purpose: Plasma galectin-3 (pG3) regulates inflammation. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), high-sensitivity Troponin I (hsTnI), and pG3 concentrations are elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The associations of pG3 with hsTnI/BNP are unclear.

Changes in primary glomerulonephritis in Singapore over four decades .

This review of 3,289 native kidney biopsies over the past four decades in Singapore documents the changing pattern of biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis (GN)from that of a third world country to that of a developed nation. In the 1st decade, mesangial proliferative GN was the most common form of primary GN, similar to the Asian region. In the 2nd decade, the percentage of mesangial proliferative GN decreased, but membranous GN became more common, as was seen in China and Thailand.

Glomerular Filtration Rates in Asians.

The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines recommended the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for the classification of CKD, but its accuracy was limited to North American patients with estimated GFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m body surface area of European (White) or African (Black) descent. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) developed another equation for estimating GFR, derived from a population that included both participants without kidney disease and with CKD.

Dietary Protein Intake in a Multi-ethnic Asian Population of Healthy Participants and Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Introduction: Clinical practice guidelines recommend different levels of dietary protein intake in predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It is unknown how effectively these recommendations perform in a multi-ethnic Asian population, with varied cultural beliefs and diets. We assess the profi le of protein intake in a multi-ethnic Asian population, comparing healthy participants and CKD patients.

Spot urine estimations are equivalent to 24-hour urine assessments of urine protein excretion for predicting clinical outcomes.

Background. The use of spot urine protein to creatinine ratios in estimating 24 hr urine protein excretion rates for diagnosing and managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) predated the standardization of creatinine assays. The comparative predictive performance of spot urine ratios and 24 hr urine collections (of albumin or protein) for the clinical outcomes of CKD progression, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and mortality in Asians is unclear.

Performance of the CKD-EPI creatinine-cystatin C glomerular filtration rate estimation equations in a multiethnic Asian population.

Introduction: Clinical practice guidelines recommend using creatinine-based equations to estimate glomerular filtration rates (GFRs). While these equations were formulated for Caucasian-American populations and have adjustment coefficients for African-American populations, they are not validated for other ethnicities. The Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaborative Group (CKD-EPI) recently developed a new equation that uses both creatinine and cystatin C.

Dietary sodium intake in a multiethnic Asian population of healthy participants and chronic kidney disease patients.

Introduction: Clinical practice guidelines recommend using creatinine-based equations to estimate glomerular filtration rates (GFRs). While these equations were formulated for Caucasian-American populations and have adjustment coefficients for African-American populations, they are not validated for other ethnicities. The Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaborative Group (CKD-EPI) recently developed a new equation that uses both creatinine and cystatin C.

Aliskiren and losartan trial in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: This is a report of a clinical trial on the therapeutic efficacy and safety of combined aliskiren and losartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)) versus aliskiren alone and ARB alone in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) over a 3-year period.

Materials And Methods: This was a randomised trial in 155 patients with non-diabetic CKD comparing aliskiren (150 mg/day) (n=52) versus losartan (100 mg/day) (n=52) and the third group aliskiren (150 mg/day) combined with losartan (100 mg/day) (n=51). The trial utilised primary renal end points of eGFR <15 ml/min or end-stage renal failure.

Glomerular filtration rates in healthy Asians without kidney disease.

Aim: The Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration - Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) glomerular filtration rates (GFR) estimation equation is believed to estimate GFR more accurately in healthy people but this has not been validated in Asians. We studied the distribution of GFR in a multi-ethnic Asian population without CKD, and compared the performance of measures of GFR estimation, including the CKD-EPI equation, Cockroft-Gault equation, and 24-hour urine creatinine clearances.

Materials And Methods: A total of 103 healthy volunteers without a history of kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes underwent GFR measurement using 3-sample plasma clearance of (99m) Tc-DTPA.

Spot urine tests in predicting 24-hour urine sodium excretion in Asian patients.

Objective: The control of hypertension is often suboptimal, and it is frequently due to excessive sodium intake. Monitoring sodium intake is cumbersome and involves 24-hour collection of urine. We hypothesize that a spot urine test can accurately predict 24-hour urine sodium excretion in an Asian population.

Comparative outcomes of primary autogenous fistulas in elderly, multiethnic Asian hemodialysis patients.

Background: The number of elderly (≥65 years) end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis is rapidly increasing. Vascular access outcomes remain contradictory and understudied across different elderly populations. We hypothesized age might influence primary autogenous fistula use and outcomes in a predominantly diabetic multiethnic Asian ESRD population.

How can we improve clinical research in clinical practice with better research outcome?

This paper explains some of the difficulties doctors face when taking up a career in research. It describes the efforts by the government and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to nurture the Clinician Scientist Programme. The nature of research and the mindset of clinicians who are passionate about research are explored and the reasons which drive some of them to pursue a research career.

Estimating glomerular filtration rates by use of both cystatin C and standardized serum creatinine avoids ethnicity coefficients in Asian patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation is most accurate for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but requires an adjustment for African-American patients. Estimation equations are also improved with the use of serum cystatin C combined with standardized creatinine. Combination equations have been derived by the CKD-EPI and Chinese investigators.

GFR estimating equations in a multiethnic Asian population.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend using equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) management and research. The MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) Study and CKD-EPI (CKD Epidemiology Collaboration) equations originally were derived from a North American population and had an ethnic coefficient adjustment for African Americans. A Chinese coefficient for the MDRD Study equation subsequently was determined, but this has not been externally validated.

The clinical course of rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterial peritoneal dialysis infections in Asians: A case series and literature review.

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections due to rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (RGNTM) are rare in Asians and have variable clinical outcomes.

Methods: We analysed retrospectively a series of RGNTM infections in a single-centre multi-ethnic Asian population over a 5-year period. Clinical features, treatment, risk factors and outcomes are discussed.

Microbiology of tunnelled catheter-related infections in a multi-ethnic South-east Asian patient population.

Introduction: Clinical practice guidelines recommend empiric antibiotic therapy for suspected tunnelled haemodialysis catheter-related infections (CRI), and the choice of antibiotics should be adjusted according to the local microbiological profile and antimicrobial sensitivities. We aim to describe the microbiology, antibiotic sensitivities, and clinical outcomes of CRI with tunnelled haemodialysis catheters in a multi-ethnic South-East Asian population.

Methods: Using a prospective vascular access registry, we identified 99 patients who had catheters removed for suspected or confirmed CRI (50.

The choice of estimating equations for glomerular filtration rate significantly affects the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in a multi-ethnic population during health screening.

Background: Patients present to the National University Hospital of Singapore and select one of several health screening packages after counselling. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in this population when different glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equations are used has not been examined.

Methods: Demographic data and urinalyses of patients from 2000 to 2005 were extracted from laboratory computer databases and analysed.

High dose Losartan and ACE gene polymorphism in IgA nephritis.

Background/aims Several studies have reported varying results of the influence of ACE gene on ACEI/ARB therapy. The efficacy of high dose ARB and its influence on ACE gene have not been explored. This is a 6 year randomised trial in IgA nephritis comparing high dose ARB (Losartan 200 mg/day) with normal dose ARB (Losartan 100 mg/day), normal dose ACEI (20 mg/day) and low dose ACEI (10 mg/day).

Report of the Asian Forum of Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative (AFCKDI) 2007. "Current status and perspective of CKD in Asia": diversity and specificity among Asian countries.

The Japanese Society of Nephrology (JSN) sponsored the Asian Forum of CKD Initiative (AFCKDI) 2007 with the support of the International Society of Nephrology-Commission for Global Advancement in Nephrology (ISN-COMGAN), Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN), the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) and other national societies of nephrology in the Asian Pacific region on 27-28 May 2007 in Hamamatsu City, Japan. An international organising committee was established by leading experts of the CKD initiative. The main objective of this forum was to clarify the current status and perspectives of CKD and to promote coordination, collaboration and integration of initiatives in the Asian Pacific region.

Risk stratification of the peritoneal dialysis patient--a single-center experience.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have many risk factors that may affect their clinical outcomes. Age and diabetes status are unequally distributed in the dialysis population of Singapore. Risk stratification is a means of reducing the effects of case mix such that high-risk groups in the dialysis population can be identified.

3rd College of Physicians' lecture--translational research: From bench to bedside and from bedside to bench; incorporating a clinical research journey in IgA nephritis (1976 to 2006).

Translational research (TR) can be defined as research where a discovery made in the laboratory (bench) can be applied in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease. Examples of medical discoveries contributing to translational medicine (TM) include the isolation of insulin by Banting (Nobel Laureate, 1923), the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming (Nobel Laureate, 1945) and recently the discovery of the role of bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the causation of gastritis and peptic ulcer by Marshall and Warren (Nobel Laureates, 2005). Clinical research (CR) would be a more appropriate term for the bulk of research work undertaken by doctors.

Health economics of renal replacement therapy: perspectives from Singapore.

The prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Singapore is high and projected to increase sharply due to the aging population and the high prevalence of diabetes. The number of patients treated with dialysis was projected to rise from 2633 in 1999 to nearly 6000 in the year 2010. The cost of dialysis provision was estimated to increase 2.