BC Kidney Research in Focus

Spring/Summer 2022

Research highlights from the BC Renal network

Green initiative: Project to Reduce Plastic Waste in Dialysis Units Proves Highly Successful

There has been growing interest in finding ways to deliver health care in more sustainable ways, including reducing the amount of plastic waste associated with dialysis. In line with this goal, two dialysis units in BC sought to investigate how interventions (e.g., education, increasing the number of recycling bins available) could impact recycling practices among staff. The results show that these easy-to-implement interventions could divert hundreds of bags of plastic waste from the landfill each year.

New Iron Treatment Found Safe and Effective for Kidney Patients

Kidney patients are prone to iron deficiency, which means many of them must receive iron infusions. This has traditionally involved multiple visits to a clinic to receive three separate treatments with iron sucrose. However, a recent study has pointed to a more convenient solution, demonstrating that a single, higher dose of ferric derisomaltose (previously known as iron isomaltoside, Monoferric©) is safe and effective for kidney patients.

Novel Results Show Mental Health Impacts of Organ Transplants on Children

Solid organ transplant is a life-saving surgery that offers renewed hope to people living with severe chronic illnesses such as advanced kidney disease, heart disease and liver disease. However, this kind of transplant is a very intense procedure that can also take a mental toll on patients and their families – the effects of which have been vastly understudied.

Boosting Patient Knowledge of Kidney-Friendly Foods

Many kidney patients are informed about the kidney-protecting benefits of reducing sodium and phosphate in their diet, and strive to limit their intake. However, it can be challenging to know which foods and recipes align with this kidney-friendly diet. A recent project shows how an engaging ‘intervention’ (planned introduction) to increase patients’ knowledge of low-sodium and low-phosphate foods can better support them in achieving their dietary goals.

Study Identifies Risk Factors for Calciphylaxis

People living with kidney disease are prone to developing secondary complications, and now a study by a group in BC’s Fraser Health region is shedding light on risk factors for a particularly dangerous one called calciphylaxis. The results suggest that peritoneal dialysis, and taking medications such as sevelamer and warfarin, are associated with increased risk.

Researcher Profile: Omosomi Enilama

While completing the fourth year of her undergraduate degree in biology, Omosomi Enilama became highly interested in kidney disease and has since pursued a career in the field of kidney disease and transplantation research. She is now completing her Masters degree under the guidance of Dr. Adeera Levin, at a particularly unique time. Enilama joined a research team as Dr. Levin and colleagues launched a massive study to explore the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in people living with chronic kidney disease, including those on dialysis and who are kidney transplant recipients.

Additional recent publications by BC researchers:

Did you know?
BC Renal has a research section on our website. Learn more: http://www.bcrenal.ca/research

Who We Are:
Kidney care professionals and patient partners across BC are engaged in a broad range of local, provincial and international research projects, many in collaboration with BC's educational and research institutions. Their work is frequently published in peer-reviewed journals.

Why We Do It:
● To facilitate/conduct quality research studies
● To support knowledge translation
● To foster local, national and international research collaborations
● To facilitate training and mentoring of young physicians and scientists

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