Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Workshop on Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease: Options for Intervention

Organizers: Dr. John Kusek
and Dr. Robert Star
kusekj@ep.niddk.nih.gov
Date: March 10–11, 2003

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with kidney failure is substantial. For example, across most of the age spectrum the rate of cardiovascular mortality in patients treated by dialysis ranges from 10 to 100 times that in the general U.S. population. This, combined with the increasing prevalence of kidney failure, has resulted in CVD becoming a major medical concern. To address the shortcomings of available interventions and to reduce the burden of CVD in these patients, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute are sponsoring this 2-day workshop.

The major goal of the workshop is to design and prioritize possible interventions to be evaluated in randomized clinical trials both in patients with kidney failure and earlier stages of chronic kidney disease, including kidney transplant recipients, and in those with diabetic kidney disease and non-diabetic kidney disease. The need for epidemiological studies to better identify risk factors will also be considered. Break-out sessions are designed to obtain broad input on study designs for clinical trials. Workshop participants will prioritize their ideas. To put these proposals into context, recent clinical trials will be critically evaluated by internationally recognized scientists, and the latest information concerning ongoing studies will be presented. Highlights of the workshop will be state-of-the art lectures on the burden of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiomyopathy.

Registration information is available at www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/cardio/index.htm on the NIDDK website.

Research Insights Into Interstitial Cystitis: A Basic and Clinical Science Symposium

Organizer: Iain Mackenzie, the Hill Group
imackenzie@thehillgroup.com
Date: October 30-November 1, 2003

NIDDK and the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) are sponsoring this scientific meeting in the Washington, DC, area. Scientific topics include bladder urothelium, developmental biology of the bladder, epidemiology and genetics, visceral pain, bladder neurophysiology, clinical studies, urinary markers, and more. The meeting will include invited state-of-the-art lectures, podium presentations, panel discussions, and poster sessions. Additional information can be found on the NIDDK website at www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/conferences.htm.

Trans-NIH Workshop on Recruitment of Minority and Disadvantaged Populations Into Clinical Research Studies

Organizer: Dr. John Kusek and Dr. Lawrence Agodoa
kusekj@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: 2003

This 2-day workshop will assess the current state of knowledge about the best techniques for recruiting minority and disadvantaged populations into clinical research studies. It will also identify areas for future research. Of particular importance will be delineating a research agenda using ongoing or soon-to-be implemented clinical trials and other clinical research studies.

Completed and ongoing clinical research studies, including randomized clinical trials, will be examined for information on recruitment rates, techniques producing a large number of participants, and barriers to participation. The studies examined will represent a wide range of diseases, include different ethnic and racial populations, and encompass groups that may be considered to have a major barrier to enrollment. Participants will discuss selected topics in breakout sessions and, on the final day, will review the research agenda.

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