2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Validation of a Predictive model for progression of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu): Relationship between nutritional parameters and kidney failure
| Project/Area Number |
21K21133
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| Research Institution | Niigata University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-08-30 – 2025-03-31
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| Keywords | CKDu / Nutritional parameters / Sri Lanka / Disease progression / Predictive model |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a serious health problem in Sri Lanka, which predominately affects rural rice farmers in certain parts of the country. CKDu is defined as an impairment of kidney function in which the cause cannot be attributed to any known etiology, such as diabetes or hypertension. CKDu is a progressive disease that leads to end-stage renal failure and/or premature death. This study was designed to investigate the differences in disease progression among CKDu patients to examine the possibility of developing a simple, inexpensive, and reliable predictive model for CKDu progression using nutritional parameters and frequently monitored laboratory test values.
To summarize the research achievements so far, a research team was formed with the collaboration of Prof. K.M.S. Wimalasiri from the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Ananda Chandrasekara from Wayamba University, and Dr. Nishantha Nanayakkara, a consultant nephrologist in the National hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka. A research student from Sri Lanka was recruited to conduct the data collection. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee, faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. We recruited 100 CKDu patients attending the renal clinic in Wilgamuwa (CKDu prevalent area in Matale district, Sri Lanka), and baseline data was collected. 1-year Follow-up data is being collected.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The project's progress was delayed than planned as we had to tackle several unforeseen obstacles. First, the initiation of the study was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel restrictions and the functioning of the university, relevant administrative offices, and clinics in Sri Lanka. Just when the pandemic was over, Sri Lanka was hit by an unprecedented political and economic crisis that led to a state of emergency. We could not proceed with the study during this time as all relevant institutions were not functioning well. Due to all these reasons, it took about two years to plan the research, organize resources, and obtain ethical approval. The study was on hold from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 as the principal researcher was on maternal and childcare leave. After the resumption of research work on 01st April 2024, we have completed baseline data entering and are currently analyzing data and preparing manuscripts.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Despite the unforeseen obstacles faced at the beginning of the study, we have completed the baseline data collection and are progressing with follow-up data collection. However, we changed the frequency of follow-up from 6 months to 1 year, as it was difficult to collect data every 6 months due to the limitations in human resources (research assistants) and the time restriction. The data is currently being analyzed, and a manuscript is being prepared. While our initial plan was to publish the research protocol, we changed it due to budget restrictions, as the publication of the study findings is more important.We hope to publish the findings in a Q1 journal in the nephrology field (Preferably Kidney International or Kidney International supplements).
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| Causes of Carryover |
In the next fiscal year, the fund will be used for three main purposes; 1.Gratuity for study participants; 2.Publication of findings; 3.Update of SPSS software
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