Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

Recent Meetings

Urologic Complications in Diabetes

In December 2003, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), in partnership with the American Urological Association, convened an international group of clinical and basic researchers to discuss urologic complications of diabetes including bladder, sexual, and erectile dysfunction as well as urinary tract infections. The meeting included a series of short presentations on current understanding, knowledge gaps, and future directions for research on urologic complications among men and women with diabetes.

Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria

In November, NIDDK sponsored a meeting on primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic disease that results from endogenous (primary) overproduction of oxalic acid. Research on the disease has elucidated the metabolic defects and molecular genetic basis for two forms of the disease and has led to improved diagnosis and treatment. However, more research is clearly needed to develop novel approaches for treatments and, eventually, cures. The goals of this meeting were to summarize knowledge that can be used to develop consensus algorithms for diagnosis and treatment, apply new science to influence the phenotypic expression, and promote participation in clinical and mutation databases.

Research Insights Into Interstitial Cystitis: A Basic and Clinical Symposium

At the end of October, NIDDK and the Interstitial Cystitis Association co-sponsored a symposium where potential treatments actively being researched were discussed as were potential markers to diagnose IC and new research that may ultimately reveal IC's causes. Topics included urothelial characterization and function, inflammation and signaling in the bladder, lower urinary tract neuroplasticity, detrusor function and regulation, and neuroimaging.

NIH Publication No. 04–4531
May 2004