A new study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) confirms the global significance of the work of Winnipeg researcher and Manitoba Renal Program nephrologist, Dr. Navdeep Tangri who invented a model to predict the risk of kidney failure.
The risk equation developed by Dr. Tangri using Canadian patient data and published in JAMA in 2011 showed that a series of common lab tests used together can reliably predict which kidney patients are at risk of kidney failure. This new study tested the risk equation using the patient records for over 700,000 kidney patients in more than 30 countries.
While chronic kidney disease is fairly common in Manitoba and other jurisdictions, kidney failure is relatively rare. Kidney failure is, however, devastating for patients who require lifesaving dialysis. That’s also very costly for healthcare systems. Patients who know their risk can take concrete steps to reduce that risk with diet, exercise, and taking medications prescribed by their physician.
“I’m really proud to have the study published and grateful for the collaboration of my colleagues at Seven Oaks Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre and at the Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium internationally. We’re working to have this model accepted globally by physicians so that we can make a real difference in preventing kidney failure worldwide.” Dr. Tangri said. Dr. Tangri has developed a website to explain the equation: www.kidneyfailurerisk.com.
Manitoba Renal Program supports the use of the kidney failure risk equation province-wide and is continuing development on resources to support family physicians and ensure timely and appropriate patient referrals to Manitoba Renal Program.