More web-based patient information resources developed by Kidney Health New Zealand
Kidney Health New Zealand, together with the Ministry of Health, has developed eight further web-based patient information resources. Five of the resources are for children with kidney disease and their families and the considerable assistance of Dr Tonya Kara is acknowledged. KHNZ is grateful for permission to use patient information leaflets (PILs) developed by the Clinical Pharmacology Department, Christchurch Hospital.
The other three resources related to coping with kidney disease were developed by Carmel Gregan-Ford, Education Manager, with the input from a consultation group of stakeholders (see attached).
The information can be read on-line or printed off for further distribution.
Kidney Health New Zealand expects that this resource will complement the information provided to patients with CKD by their health professionals.
Name
Carmel Gregan-Ford, KHNZ, Education Manager
Martin Urlich, Auckland District Kidney Society, Patient/consumer
Nora Van der Schrieck, Auckland District Kidney Society Director, Patient Support Group
Nick Polaschek. MoH, Project manager
Sandy Neale, Canterbury DHB, Pre dialysis Educator
June Shaw, Christchurch Kidney Society, Patient/consumer
Rachael Walker, Hawke’s Bay DHB, Renal Nurse Practitioner
Cindy Priest, Hawke’s Bay DHB, Social worker
Anna Stewardson, Northland, Social Worker
Phil Philpott, Southern DHB, Social Worker
Amber Campbell, Capital & Coast DHB, Social Worker
Click Here to view Otago Daily Times story - "Father, son recover after Kidney Surgery" 3/12/11
Obituary
Dr Peter J Little MB ChB, FRACP, FRCP 15/11/1930 to 19/5/2011
Peter Little, the founder of the Christchurch renal unit and a pioneer of home dialysis in New Zealand, died recently.
Peter Little was born and educated in Hawke’s Bay and trained in medicine at the University of Otago. He met Professor Hugh de Wardener while working as a locum at Fulham Hospital, London and decided to become a nephrologist at a time when the subspecialty was just emerging following the establishment of the feasibility of long term dialysis.
In 1966 Dr Little was appointed as Canterbury’s first nephrologist to set up a renal unit at Christchurch Hospital. He was Head of the Nephrology Department from 1976 to 1979. The principles of treatment for people with kidney disease that he established still influence the treatment of people with kidney failure today.
The first kidney patient started dialysis in Christchurch in 1969 and the first kidney transplant was done in 1972. His colleagues elected him as the President of the Australasian Society of Nephrology from 1976 to 1978.
Peter Little will be remembered as quite a character. Having a great intellect and being a clear analytical thinker, he did not always get on with the establishment but he was held in high esteem by patients and doctors in training and was always one to support the underdog. His flamboyant dress and trademark bowtie were as well known at Addington Raceway as at Christchurch Hospital.
Dr Little left Christchurch in 1980 to establish and head a renal unit in Saudi Arabia and subsequently worked in Baghdad where he developed a large, successful living donor kidney transplant programme. He returned to New Zealand to live in retirement but continued to travel, particularly to Ireland and Thailand.
The board and staff of Kidney Health New Zealand extend their sincere condolences to Dr Little’s widow, Dolores, and his family.
MEDIA RELEASE
March 8, 2011
Now’s the time to get your ‘flu’ vaccination
Seasonal influenza (‘flu’) vaccine has arrived in New Zealand surgeries and Bonnie Leung (22) made sure she was one of the first to be vaccinated at the National Influenza Strategy Group’s (NISG) official launch in Auckland today.
The fifth-year medical student fell ill with Pandemic HINI Influenza 09 (swine flu) in July 2009. She spent a terrible two and half weeks in intensive care and almost died from this serious disease. There was no vaccine available to combat swine flu at the time.
Previously fit and healthy, Bonnie struggled for almost a year to fully recover from her illness and now she wants to protect not only herself but others from a similar experience.
“I hadn’t really thought about vaccination before because I was rarely sick. But now I realise anyone can catch influenza and it can be devastating.”
The 2011 seasonal influenza vaccine includes protection against three types of flu, including the Pandemic H1N1 Influenza 09 (swine flu), which is expected to be the predominant virus in New Zealand this season.
“Most years the strains covered by the seasonal influenza vaccine change. 2011 is unusual in that the strains are the same as in 2010. People who were vaccinated last year, however, should still be vaccinated again this year because the immunity offered by current vaccines lessens over time, so a further vaccination is likely to offer better protection for the 2011 season,” explains NISG spokesperson, Dr Nikki Turner.
Dr Turner says people need to be immunised as soon as possible before winter as it can take up to two weeks to develop immunity after vaccination.
“Although swine flu is mild-to-moderate for most people, it can lead to serious complications and even death for others.”
Influenza immunisation is free as soon as vaccine is available for New Zealanders at high risk of complications -- people aged 65 and over, and anyone under 65 years of age with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma), kidney disease and most cancers.
In addition, from 2011 the Government will subsidise influenza immunisation for pregnant women. Pregnant women have been included as studies have shown they are particularly susceptible to more severe outcomes from swine flu. The subsidised season has also been extended to July 31.
People who don’t qualify for a free flu vaccine can get it through their general practice for a small charge. Many employers also offer free immunisation to their employees.
For free health advice, call Healthline 0800 611 116. For advice about influenza immunisation visit www.fightflu.co.nz or text FLU to 515
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Media contact: Brenda Saunders 021 777 171 or 09 536 6753.
Additional information on influenza and vaccination
1. In 2011 the strains covered by the vaccine are:
A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; (Swine Flu)
A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;
B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
2. Ministry of Health data shows that from January to September 2010 in New Zealand, 727 people were hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza. Sixteen people who died in 2010 had laboratory confirmation of the pandemic influenza strain out of 23 linked to the strain.
3. Up to 156,000 will consult a GP2 about influenza-like illness and from 1989 to 2004, surveillance reports indicate there were 5,226 hospitalisations and 414 deaths, making an average of 327 hospitalisations per year directly attributed to influenza. 3
4. In 2010 influenza vaccine uptake reached 1,046,000 doses (as at September 30), an 8 percent increase over 2009.
5. The funded seasonal influenza vaccines for 2011 are Fluvax (manufactured in Australia by CSL) and Fluarix (manufactured in Germany by GSK).
6. Due to the reactions experienced by some children in 2010 Fluvax will not be recommended for use in children under 9 years in 2011. As yet, there is no clear evidence as to why those reactions occurred, and clinical investigations are continuing.
1National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG)
NISG was formed in 2000 by the Ministry of Health to increase public awareness of influenza, its seriousness and the importance of immunisation to prevent the disease.
2. Jennings L,Huang Q S, Baker M, et al. Influenza surveillance and immunisation in New Zealand, 1990-1999 New Zealand Public Health Report. 2001; 8:9-11.
3. Ministry of Health. Immunisation Handbook. 2006. Wellington
Protect your kidneys and save your heart
By Dr Suetonia Palmer - March 2011
We now know that kidney disease and heart disease go hand in hand. Both are common and frequently occur together. About 10 to 15% of the adult population in New Zealand have kidney disease detected by screening (nearly 500,000 people) and this number is on the rise. About 26,000 New Zealanders need hospital care each year for a heart attack and between one-third and one-half of these patients will have kidney disease. This year, World Kidney Day on March 10, 2011 highlighted this association between kidney and heart health with the theme “Protect Your Kidneys and Save Your Heart.”
Having kidney disease directly affects the way heart disease develops and progresses. People with even mild kidney disease have a substantially higher chance of developing heart problems in the first place (either blocked arteries or heart failure) while the combination of heart and kidney disease means that heart problems may progress more rapidly. Treatment for heart problems can be more challenging when kidney disease is present – some medications such as blood pressure treatments may be avoided [sometimes unnecessarily] or used at lower doses.
You might have thought that because the clearly strong links between kidney and heart health are well established, we would have a lot of information about how this occurs. Why does it happen? Unfortunately, while both heart and kidney health share important risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the actual detailed mechanisms relating the two are yet to be fully worked out. Worldwide, advocates and policy makers are increasingly focussing on the important link between cardiovascular disease and kidney disease – and research in this area is highly active.
It is not all bad news…there are many practical and simple steps that can be made by all of us and our families/whānau to reduce our risks of heart disease by first protecting our kidney health. It is still important to make sure we keep our blood pressure normal, reduce our risks of diabetes through healthy eating and exercise, avoiding or quitting smoking, and minimising our salt intake. Screening kidney health is simple (checking with your doctor to measure your blood pressure and a urine protein test) and knowing early whether you have kidney disease is the first step to getting the right treatment and saving your heart.
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Media Release - February 2011
Protect Your Kidneys, Save Your Heart.
World Kidney Day on 10 March aims to raise awareness of the importance of the kidney in maintaining a healthy heart. Kidney Health New Zealand will lead a number of special events throughout New Zealand aimed at promoting awareness of kidney disorders and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
The sixth World Kidney Day will call attention to the large, and often unappreciated, role played by chronic kidney disease (CKD) in increasing the risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) is the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for 40% of deaths annually. Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from coronary heart disease (16 deaths a day). Many of these deaths are premature and preventable.
Maori and Pacific people have an increased risk of both CKD and cardiovascular disease. Death rates for Maori and Pacific people with these conditions are significantly higher than for the rest of the population.
Professor Lynn, Medical Director of Kidney Health New Zealand, notes, “Increased attention to kidney health can improve long-term health outcomes by reducing both kidney and cardiovascular disease.” A simple urine protein check or a blood test can detect CKD. Proteinuria (increased amounts of protein in the urine) is an important marker of both CKD and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. People with proteinuria develop cardiovascular disease more quickly.
Dr Lynn says, “There is now evidence to suggest that early detection and treatment of CKD can reduce proteinuria, slow the progression of CKD and reduce cardiovascular risk as well. “
There is now compelling evidence that including selective screening for CKD in health programmes designed primarily to reduce cardiovascular disease will significantly improve the outcomes of not only CKD, but also diabetes and cardiovascular disease that will dominate future health care strategies.
To highlight how easy it is to screen for CKD, Kidney Health New Zealand, with the help of kidney nurses and doctors from Wellington Hospital, will be offering blood pressure and urine protein checks for Members of Parliament and their staff at Parliament Buildings on World Kidney Day 10 March 2011.
Other activities include community screening for CKD in Napier on 7 March and Whangarei on 8 March. Throughout the week, biscuit maker Griffin’s predominantly Pacific staff at their two Auckland manufacturing facilities at Papakura and Wiri will be given information about CKD. Kidney units and patients support groups have also organised activities to raise awareness of CKD.
To learn more about World Kidney Day and Kidney Health New Zealand’s activities visit www.kidneys.co.nz
The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand has additional information regarding heart disease www.heartfoundation.org.nz
Chronic kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.
Professor Kelvin Lynn, Medical Director of Kidney Health New Zealand
Telephone: Christchurch Hospital on (03) 364-1828, 0274-376-542
kelvin.lynn@cdhb.govt.nz www.kidneys.co.nz
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- February 2011-
Stem cell research unlocks potential for exploring kidney regeneration
Associate Professor Alan Davidson, who moved recently to The University of Auckland, led research at Harvard Medical School that identified adult kidney stem cells in zebrafish (a commonly used biological model). These cells can be transplanted from one fish to another fish, whereby they grow into functional nephrons in the transplanted recipient. This is the first time that adult kidney stem cells have been isolated. The work was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature.
Associate Professor Alan Davidson
The discovery raises the possibility of new ways of treating kidney failure. New Zealand has extremely high rates of kidney disease, particularly amongst Maori and Pacific people.
Details of the research can be found at http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/adult-kidney-stem-cells-found-in-fish/
Dr Davidson was awarded a Rutherford Distinguished Fellowship by the Royal Society of New Zealand so that he could return to New Zealand. He also won a prestigious 2010 Marsden grant of more than $900,000 over three years to continue his research into kidney regeneration using stem cells.
He will be focusing on nephrons (the delicate structures that purify our blood) which humans cannot re-grow once they are damaged by diseases like diabetes and hypertension. He plans to scrutinize adult zebrafish as they are able to grow new nephrons.
- Ends -
- Jan 2011 -
Kidney Health New Zealand shares the concerns of Diabetes New Zealand regarding District Health Boards' response to the Diabetes Epidenic.
Comments from the Minister of Health, Tony Ryall, regarding the performance of the “Get Checked” programme and concerns raised by Diabetes New Zealand overlook the huge savings and benefits from the service, for DHBs and for New Zealanders.
The Minister’s comments regarding DHB funding of the detection and treatment of diabetes spell bad news for renal services and the funding of expensive kidney failure treatment.
Early detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with diabetes is very important as it slows or halts the progression of kidney disease. Good blood pressure and blood sugar control for people with diabetes are the best ways to reduce the risk of kidney damage. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising, stopping smoking, eating less salt and drinking less alcohol are also important.
Simple urine and blood tests and a blood pressure check can detect early signs of kidney problems. A blood sugar check for diabetes can be done on a finger prick blood sample. People with diabetes can have a free annual check through the “Get Checked” programme.
At the end of 2009, there were 2260 people with kidney failure on dialysis in New Zealand and for nearly half diabetes was the cause of their kidney disease. This number is predicted to rise by four to six percent annually, at least until 2020, mainly because of the diabetes epidemic.
About 40% of people with diabetes will develop CKD which also increases their risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications of diabetes. Maori and Pacific people with diabetes have an increased risk of getting chronic kidney disease. One in three people on dialysis are Maori and one in five a Pacific person.
The treatment of kidney failure is expensive and costs at least $100 million a year in New Zealand. Kidney Health New Zealand estimates that there are about 200,000 people in New Zealand with significant CKD.
Any cutback in the “Get Checked” programme will only lead to greater numbers of New Zealanders developing kidney disease, and the costs to the country will continue to grow.
Click here for December 2010 Media Release from Otago University
Summer Studentship funding from Kidney Health New Zealand assists Christchurch medical student, Isaac Campbell’s research career.
In late 2008, Kidney Health New Zealand funded a Summer Studentship at the University of Otago, Christchurch for 10 weeks over the university vacation for a Isaac Campbell. Dr John Pickering from the Christchurch Kidney Research Group supervised Isaac’s project Timing of injury and biomarker-based diagnosis of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Isaac won the prize for the best scientific report.
Now Isaac’s work as part of the research programme of the Christchurch Kidney Research Group has contributed to an important paper on acute kidney injury published recently in the prestigious journal, Kidney International.
Kidney Health New Zealand congratulates Isaac and the research team on this achievement.
The abstract from the publication is shown below.
Original Article
Kidney International (2010) 77, 1020–1030; doi:10.1038/ki.2010.25; published online 17 February 2010
Early intervention with erythropoietin does not affect the outcome of acute kidney injury (the EARLYARF trial)
Zoltán H Endre1, Robert J Walker2, John W Pickering1, Geoffrey M Shaw1,3, Christopher M Frampton1, Seton J Henderson1,3, Robyn Hutchison2, Jan E Mehrtens1,3, Jillian M Robinson1, John B W Schollum2,6, Justin Westhuyzen1, Leo A Celi2, Robert J McGinley4, Isaac J Campbell1 and Peter M George5
1. 1Christchurch Kidney Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Otago,
Christchurch, New Zealand
2. 2Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
3. 3Intensive Care, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
4. 4Deakin University Medical School, Geelong, Australia
5. 5Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand
6. 6Dunedin Hospital, Department of Nephrology, Dunedin, New Zealand
Correspondence: Zoltán H. Endre, Christchurch Kidney Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Otago–Christchurch, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. E-mail: Rowena.fisher@otago.ac.nz
Received 13 October 2009; Revised 29 November 2009; Accepted 28 December 2009; Published online 17 February 2010.
ABSTRACT
We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled trial to study whether early treatment with erythropoietin could prevent the development of acute kidney injury in patients in two general intensive care units. As a guide for choosing the patients for treatment we measured urinary levels of two biomarkers, the proximal tubular brush border enzymes γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. Randomization to either placebo or two doses of erythropoietin was triggered by an increase in the biomarker concentration product to levels above 46.3, with a primary outcome of relative average plasma creatinine increase from baseline over 4 to 7 days. Of 529 patients, 162 were randomized within an average of 3.5 h of a positive sample. There was no difference in the incidence of erythropoietin-specific adverse events or in the primary outcome between the placebo and treatment groups. The triggering biomarker concentration product selected patients with more severe illness and at greater risk of acute kidney injury, dialysis, or death; however, the marker elevations were transient. Early intervention with high-dose erythropoietin was safe but did not alter the outcome. Although these two urine biomarkers facilitated our early intervention, their transient increase compromised effective triaging. Further, our study showed that a composite of these two biomarkers was insufficient for risk stratification in a patient population with a heterogeneous onset of injury.
Congratulations Rachael
New Zealand's first Renal Nurse Practitioner
Rachael Walker has just been registered as New Zealand's first Renal Nurse Practitioner with prescribing rights. Rachael is employed by the Hawkes Bay District Health Board and has been working in the renal department there for the last six years, prior to this Rachael's background was in medical wards in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom. For the last three years Rachael has been employed by the HBDHB as the Clinical Nurse Specialist - Pre-dialysis. Rachael completed her Masters at the end of 2009. She has undertaken research into the pre-dialysis nursing role in New Zealand. Rachael is also a mother of two, aged four and one. Rachael plans to work in collaboration with the renal team to improve outcomes for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease, raising its awareness and having a strong preventative approach for patients, especially those at high risk of progressing to end stage renal failure.
Rachael Walker is pictured here with Drew Henderson Nephrologist for Hawkes Bay, following her achievement.
New web-based patient information resources developed by Kidney Health New Zealand
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, harmful and preventable. Diabetes is the most common cause of CKD in New Zealand. Maori and Pacific people have high rates of diabetes and diabetic CKD. Over 80% of people with CKD are unaware they have the condition.
Early detection allows treatment to prevent or delay CKD causing kidney failure. Living with kidney failure has a significant impact on the lives of patients. Treatment of kidney failure is expensive – over $100 million annually.
Easily accessible, accurate and relevant information is important for supporting patients with CKD and the health professionals that care for them.
Kidney Health New Zealand, funded by the Ministry of Health, has developed seven web-based patient information resources. The form and content of these resources were finalized after review by a consultation group of stakeholders (see attached).
People seeking information on kidney disease and its treatment will be able access this on-line on the Kidney Health New Zealand (www.kidneys.co.nz), Ministry of Health (www.moh.govt.nz/nrab) and Auckland District Kidney Society (www.kidneysociety.co.nz) websites. The information can be read on-line or printed off for further distribution.
Kidney Health New Zealand expects that this resource will complement the information provided to patients with CKD by their health professionals.
Professor
Telephone:
kelvin.lynn@cdhb.govt.nz www.kidneys.co.nz
Consultation group
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Name |
Group |
Role |
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KHNZ |
Education Manager |
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Kelvin |
KHNZ |
Medical Director |
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David Henderson |
KHNZ |
Chair |
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Nick Polaschek |
MoH |
Project manager |
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Johan Rosman |
National Renal Advisory Board |
Chair |
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Drew Henderson |
Hawke’s Bay DHB |
Nephrologist |
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Rachel Barrett |
Auckland District Kidney Society |
Educator |
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Tania Psathas |
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Patient/consumer |
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Tania Barkely |
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Patient/consumer |
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Wally Papa |
Waikato/Maori |
Patient/consumer |
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Nick Gavey |
Midland region |
Patient/consumer |
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Tafale Maddren |
Northland DHB |
Educator |
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Helen Hoffman |
Capital & Coast DHB |
Educator |
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Kate Grundy |
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Palliative care physician |
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Sarah Armstrong |
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Transplant co-ordinator |
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Lorelei Mason |
Media |
TV reporter |
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Zeus Hakaraia |
Tahi Design |
Web designer |
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Madeleine Price |
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Dietitian |
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Edith Ieremia |
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Pacific health educator |
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Cindy Priest |
Hawke’s Bay DHB |
Social worker |