National Health Survey on the prevalence of urinary abnormalities in the population: then and now (1975 to 2012).

Introduction: This paper presents the results of a community survey on urinary abnormalities which covered 1/80th of the population of Singapore in 1975. These findings were compared with the data from the Singapore National Service Registrants in 1974 as well as data from a recent survey in Singapore and that of other Asian and Western countries.

Materials And Methods: The study covered 18,000 persons aged 15 years and above, representing a sampling fraction of 1/80th of the population.

Urotensin 2 and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene expression in IgA nephropathy.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy is a disease where the pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarray technique allows tens of thousands of gene expressions to be examined at the same time. Commercial availability of microarray genechips has made this powerful tool accessible for wider utilisation in the study of diseases.

Global evolutionary trend of the prevalence of primary glomerulonephritis over the past three decades.

Objective: The prevalence of primary glomerulonephritis in Singapore is compared with that of 28 other countries to review changing trends in the evolution of primary glomerulonephritis in Asia and other countries.

Method: 2,586 renal biopsies in Singapore over the past 3 decades were reviewed and compared with data from 28 other countries.

Results: In the 1st decade most Asian countries have mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis as the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis, and in the 3rd decade there has been a dramatic increase in focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis reflecting aging and obesity in keeping with more developed countries.

Disease progression, response to ACEI/ATRA therapy and influence of ACE gene in IgA nephritis.

Various studies have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphism may play a role in the progression to end stage renal failure (ESRF) in patients with IgA nephritis (IgAN). In this randomized controlled trial, patients were followed up for 5 years to determine their long-term renal outcome to ACEI/ATRA therapy and to ascertain if their ACE gene profile could play a role in determining their response to therapy. Seventy-five patients with IgAN were enlisted.

Polymorphism of renin-angiotensin system genes in IgA nephropathy.

Background And Aims: Individuals are prone to disease because of certain disease-susceptible genes. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D), the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, M235T, and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (ATR) gene, A1166C, polymorphisms have been associated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and its progression. Several studies on Caucasians and Japanese patients have reported contradictory results.