Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

New in CHID

Each quarter, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse adds about 150 items to the kidney and urologic diseases subfile of the Combined Health Information Database (CHID). This database contains abstracts and ordering information on professional resources and patient education materials—such as books, pamphlets, videos, journal articles, and manuals—dealing with a variety of kidney and urologic topics. CHID Online can be accessed at chid.nih.gov on the Internet. Following are descriptions of two recent patient education additions to the subfile.

Finding the Right Physician for You

The Interstitial Cystitis Association developed this one-page fact sheet to guide patients through the process of creating an effective working relationship with the physician who will care for them. It discusses goals, resources for finding physician referral leads, patients' rights, and questions to pose when meeting with a prospective doctor. For a copy, contact the Interstitial Cystitis Association at 51 Monroe Street, Suite 1402, Rockville, MD 20850, telephone 301–610–5300, or fax 301–610–5308. The organization's web site can be found at www.ichelp.org on the Internet.

It's Just Part of My Life

The National Kidney Foundation has created a new booklet titled It's Just Part of My Life to help young adults cope with kidney failure. Speaking to teenagers in their own language, the guide gives pointers on learning to accept chronic disease and on fitting in with the crowd despite the challenges of kidney disease and dialysis. It provides clear explanations of kidney failure, the way dialysis works, and the advantages of transplantation. Information on diet, exercise, and medication is included, as well as snack recipes, a glossary of kidney disease terms, and a list of other resources available to young adults.

It's Just Part of My Life can be ordered for $2.25 per copy from the National Kidney Foundation at 1–800–622–9010 or www.kidney.org on the Internet.

[Top]

KUH Advisory Subcouncil Gains Two

In early February, Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala appointed two new members to the Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (KUH) Advisory Subcouncil of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK Director Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., welcomed these new members, who will serve until 2003.

Edward J. Benz, Jr., M.D., is Sir William Osler Professor and director, Department of Medicine, and professor of molecular biology and genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Benz is also physician-in-chief at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and president of the American Society of Hematology. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine and is studying the molecular genetics of inherited anemias in research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The Honorable Levan Gordon, LL.B., also joined the KUH subcouncil. Recently retired as judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, Judge Gordon also previously served as judge of the Municipal Court of Philadelphia and is a former partner in the Philadelphia firm of Schmidt, Williams, Gaskins, and Gordon. Currently a member of the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation, he is past chair of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice and a community activist with many awards in recognition of his service.

[Top]

Upcoming Meetings

The Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (DKUHD) will sponsor a number of workshops and meetings on treating and caring for patients with kidney and urologic diseases. Check with the DKUHD member or contact person listed with each meeting to receive the latest information.

Psychosocial Factors and Survival in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

NIDDK is planning a 3-day workshop to examine the interactions between biologic and psychosocial factors in patients with diabetes and chronic renal disease and other selected illnesses. The selection of this topic for a workshop highlights the importance of this field for new and established clinical investigators. For more information, contact

Paul L. Kimmel, M.D.
Director, Diabetic Nephropathy and HIV Programs
NIDDK DKUHD
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Room 607
MSC 5458
Bethesda, MD 20892–5458
Phone: 301–594–7717
Fax: 301–480–3510
Email: kimmelp@extra.niddk.nih.gov

Preparing for a Research Career in Clinical Nephrology

DKUHD is sponsoring a workshop in Bethesda, MD, September 9 and 10, 2000, to prepare scientists interested in nephrology for the rigors of a clinical research career. The workshop will feature lectures, mentored training sessions, and a mock study section. Speakers will discuss potential career pathways, opportunities for clinical research, and considerations in designing interventional trials. Registration is limited to 60 people, with preference given to senior renal fellows and young faculty. The registration fee is $150. For more information and to register, contact

Careers in Interventional Nephrology
Tascon Conference Coordinator
1803 Research Boulevard, #305
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301–315–9000, ext. 503
Email: career@tascon.com

Design Issues for Clinical Trials in Acute Renal Failure

DKUHD will sponsor a workshop in Bethesda, MD, September 10 to 12, 2000, on designing clinical trials to study acute renal failure (ARF). Symposia will focus on issues related to clinical trials for the drug treatment, dialysis treatment, and prevention of ARF after transplantation. The deadline for abstracts is August 1, 2000, and the registration fee is $150. For more information and an abstract form, contact

Trials in ARF
Tascon Conference Coordinator
1803 Research Boulevard, #305
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301–315–9000, ext. 503
Email: arf@tascon.com

Aging and the Prostate

NIDDK, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences are co-sponsoring a workshop entitled "Prostate Growth and Aging" on September 13 to 15, 2000. For further information, contact Dr. Monica Liebert at NIDDK, at 301–594–7717 or by email at LiebertM@extra.niddk.nih.gov.

Interstitial Cystitis

NIDDK and the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) are co-sponsoring a conference entitled "Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Research," October 19 and 20, 2000, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center Hotel, Minneapolis, MN. For more information, contact ComputerCraft Corporation at 301–493–9674, or visit www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/reports/ISBLAD/index.htm on the Internet. This meeting will be followed by the 10th National ICA Meeting, October 20 to 22, 2000, at the same location. For more information about this meeting, call ICA at 301–610–5300 or visit their web site at www.ichelp.org on the Internet.

[Top]

New Publications from NKUDIC

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is pleased to announce the publication of three new fact sheets.

Vascular Access for Hemodialysis is a concise new fact sheet that details the three types of access and the circumstances under which each is used. A vascular access is the site on the body, usually on the forearm, where blood is removed and returned during hemodialysis. Almost like an "owner's manual" to help patients understand and manage this essential component of hemodialysis, the fact sheet contains simple line drawings of each type of access: arteriovenous (AV) fistula, AV graft, and catheter. It also describes various techniques for needle insertion and includes a bulleted checklist on taking care of the access site.

For patients with abnormal amounts of protein in their urine, the new Proteinuria fact sheet is a valuable educational resource. A definition of the condition is followed by a description of those at risk, signs of proteinuria and kidney failure, an explanation of the tests for proteinuria, and possible treatment options. Because people with diabetes, high blood pressure, childhood nephrotic syndrome, and glomerulonephritis can have proteinuria, the fact sheet can be instrumental in helping patients understand these conditions as well.

The new Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome fact sheet provides helpful information to families of children with this condition. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are among the topics discussed. Also, one section focuses on minimal change disease and other conditions that involve the childhood nephrotic syndrome, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

A single copy of each publication is available free of charge, and packages of 25 are available for $5. To order these materials, see the online catalog or call NKUDIC at 301–654–4415.

Since NIDDK's health information materials are a public service and are not copyrighted, health care professionals are encouraged to duplicate the publications as handouts for their patients or as an insert for office or association newsletters.

[Top]