Kidneys

What is the study about?

We are looking for patients with a wide range of rare kidney disease. Please visit the RaDaR website [external] to see a full list.

Our research nurse will add your medical history and scan / blood results to the national RaDaR database - your information on this database is anonymous.

This database can then be assessed by approached researchers to answer research questions. 

Your participation helps future potential research studies.

Who can take part?

Patient who have had a diagnosis of a rare kidney condition.

What is involved?

• There are no extra visits to hospital or changes to your care.
• You will sign a consent form to allow our research nurse access to your hospital notes. This is usually done via the post.

Tell Me More

Visit the RaDaR study website [external]

I Am Interested

Please speak to your kidney doctors at your next appointment, or during your dialysis visits. Our research nurse will write to you if you have been diagnosed with a rare kidney condition.

What is the study about?

Based on current evidence, it is unclear if lowering blood phosphate towards a normal
level is always a good option for patients receiving dialysis. The PHOSPHATE trial is
trying to find out if controlling blood phosphate levels results in a longer life and a better
quality of life.

Phosphate levels can be affected by your diet, dialysis and medications called phosphate binders. This study will test whether a lower or higher phosphate level improves the health of patients on dialysis treatment. It is a randomised study. This means that if you take part in the study, you will be “assigned” to either a higher or lower blood phosphate target by chance, like tossing a coin.

It is up to your own doctor to recommend changes to your diet, adjust your dialysis prescription or prescribe phosphate binders to meet this target. The study will include 3,600 patients from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK. We expect about 2000 to be enrolled from up to 60 centres across the UK.

Who can take part?

We are looking for patients who are undergoing dialysis at the hospital.

What's involved?

If you take part, you will be chosen at random to either in the "intensive group" or the "liberal group", which means we will either tightly control your blood phosphate level or allow a looser range. We do this by adding medications or support you with dietary advice. There are no additional visits, as all research activity will be completed during your dialysis.

How do I take part?

Patients undergoing dialysis at Arrowe Park Hospital and on a medication called a phosphate binder are eligible. You are over 45 years old or over 18 years with type 1 diabetes. You will be approached during your routine dialysis appointment. You can also speak to your kidney doctor at your next appointment.

What is the study about?

The EASi-KIDNEY study is testing whether a new medication, currently called BI 690517, can help slow down the progression of kidney disease or reduce the risk of heart disease. The medication is being tested in combination with an existing, well-known treatment called empagliflozin.

Who can take part?

• Have chronic kidney disease but are not on dialysis

• Have moderate kidney function (not severely reduced)

• Are 18 years or older

• Do not have high levels of potassium in your blood

• Are able to start treatment with empagliflozin

What is involved?

If you join the study, you will:

• Attend five clinic visits in the first six months

• After that, visit the clinic once every six months

• Meet with a trained researcher (usually a nurse) at each visit, who will:

  • Ask questions about your health

  • Give you your supply of study medication

The study lasts for about three to four years. This is necessary to properly assess whether the new medication can make a real difference in slowing kidney disease, which typically progresses over a long period of time.

How do I take part?

If you are a kidney patient at our hospital and meet the criteria, we will contact you by letter with more information.

What is the study about?

This study will test whether “natural” vitamin D (called colecalciferol, and made by the body when sunlight falls on the skin) improves the health of patients on dialysis treatment.

Who can take part?

Patients who are undergoing dialysis at the hospital.

What is involved?

If you take part, you will be chosen at random to either take high dose of vitamin D or not to take any vitamin D. You will take this once every 2 weeks. Every 3 months, one of our research team will give you a new prescription (usually meet you when you're on dialysis). There are no extra hospital visits.

Tell me more

Visit the SIMPLIFED website [external] for more information, and an explanation video. 

How do I take part?

Patients undergoing dialysis at Arrowe Park Hospital are eligible. You will be approached during your routine dialysis appointment. You can also speak to your kidney doctor at your next appointment.