Research to unearth cause of kidney ailment

Visakhapatnam: In order to gain the experience of controlling the chronic kidney disease (CKD) and reducing the problem from those countries where effective measures were implemented, a seminar was organised at GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research which concluded here on Wednesday.

While opening the discussions and debate, Dr S P Rao, Principal of GITAM Institute of Medical Science Research, outlined the magnitude of the problem. He lamented that no clear-cut definition of the disease exists, and the disease might be different from that found in other parts of the world. 

He opined that a systematic multipronged approach will be able to reveal the cause of the disease.

Dr Thilanga and Dr Nalika, the experts from Sri Lanka spoke and narrated the methods of systematic data collection, disease definition and its classification into suspected, probable and definitive. Government of Sri Lanka and Colombo University jointly undertaken the work of systematic disease diagnosis and control measures, they said.

Dr Prabhdeep Kaur from ICMR pointed out the efforts of ICMR in supporting research studies in Srikakulum and Prakasam districts where CKD is prevalent.

Another expert Dr T Gangadhar explained that silica in water might be responsible for the CKD. He said that in water samples collected from Srikakulum area, high content of silica was found. 

He hypothesised that due to impure water, the disease might be affecting many people. He also lamented that no systematic study has so far been attempted in Srikakulum district. The diagnosis of CKD should be based on eliminating all possible causes of CKD, including hypertension, diabetes and vascular diseases.

GITAM University announced that Dr Ravi Raju of GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research will undertake systematic scientifically sound follow-up research design to monitor the population living at Uddhanam area. 

Several surveillance measures will be followed and a series of investigations to unearth the cause of this disease. After the seminar, the members and researchers visited the Uddhanam area and interacted with the population affected. The epidemiological control taken were also reviewed.