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Kidney Research UK Launches First Ever National Kidney Disease Screening Pilot

4th September 2008, Peterborough.  Kidney Research UK is to launch a pilot programme of national screening days for chronic kidney disease (CKD).  The screenings will take place from September until the end of November in four centres across the UK. 

The national pilot is being conducted in association with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and aims to screen up to 2,000 people at four sites (namely London, Birmingham, Oldham, plus one other) each session targeting one of the high-risk groups, which include:

-         Black Africans and Caribbeans
-         South Asians
-         Those with a family history of kidney disease
-         People with diabetes
-         People with hypertension

The screening pilot, which is being sponsored by pharmaceutical companies Amgen and Roche, and supported by equipment from Siemens, is being launched because CKD affects more than three million people in the UK, many of whom are unaware of the condition.  If the programme proves successful, it could provide a model for national risk assessment.

Dr. Donal O'Donoghue, National Clinical Director for kidney care comments:  "CKD is common, harmful and treatable. However it often goes undetected as sufferers often display no symptoms, although people with high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and certain ethnic groups have a higher risk. Early detection however can have a significant impact on patient outcomes because changes in lifestyle and diet can slow down the progression of the disease, delaying the progression to dialysis or transplantation."

Dr. Dwomoa Adu, the chief investigator for the screening pilot from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, comments: "We now have drugs that reduce the rate at which renal disease progresses.  If we can identify people with  early stages of kidney disease, we can manage the condition and delay the need for dialysis and transplantation.  The way to do this is through the targeted screening of high-risk groups.  That way we can identify people with CKD, before they reach a critical stage and help them to manage the condition with medication and lifestyle changes.  This is the right thing to do for both the patient and the NHS."

People wishing to find out if they are eligible to participate in the pilot can call the Kidney Health Information Line on 0845 300 1499 who will be able to advise them of screenings in their area.

The appointments will last for approximately 45 minutes and patients will have their height, weight and blood pressure checked, and will be asked for blood and urine samples. 

Individuals who think they may be at risk should contact their doctor or alternatively contact the Kidney Health Information Line on 0845 300 1499 or visit www.kidneyresearchuk.org.

ends

About CKD
CKD, which affects over 3 million people in the UK, is difficult to detect early, as sufferers often display no symptoms, although people with high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and certain ethnic groups have a higher risk. Early detection however can have a significant impact on patient outcomes because blood pressure treatment and changes in lifestyle can slow down the progression of the disease thus delaying the need for dialysis or transplantation.

About Kidney Research UK
Kidney Research UK was formerly known as The National Kidney Research Fund, having changed its name in October 2005. For over 40 years, it has been the UK's leading kidney charity, funding research into the prevention, treatment, and management of kidney diseases. It also dedicates its work to patient care and educational initiatives.

About Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Hospital is run by University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). UHB is the West Midlands' best performing Trust and in the top 20 in the country (Healthcare Commission Annual Healthcheck, 2006). Queen Elizabeth and its sister hospital Selly Oak provide adult services for the population of South Birmingham and a range of specialist treatments for the wider region and beyond. It is a regional centre for burns, plastics, trauma and cancer. It is the largest solid organ transplant centre in Europe and has some of the shortest waiting times in the country. The Trust is currently building a new £545 million Super Hospital - the first in Birmingham in 70 years.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufacturers and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about Amgen's pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

About Roche in the UK
Roche aims to improve people's health and quality of life with innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Part of one of the world's leading healthcare groups, Roche in the UK employs nearly 2,000 people in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Globally Roche is the leader in diagnostics, and a major supplier of medicines for the treatment of cancer, transplantation, virology, bone and rheumatology, obesity and renal anaemia. Find out more at www.rocheuk.com

Press contacts:
Lucy Thomas
lucy.thomas@promodus.co.uk
020 8995 1389/07971 238377

Thomas Proudlock
thomas.proudlock@promodus.co.uk
020 8995 1394/07771 962748