New Research Aims to Combat Kidney Disease in Uddanam Region

The Government of India has sanctioned the **Srikakulam Kidney Research Project**, a significant initiative aimed at the early detection and treatment of **Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu)**, which is notably prevalent in the **Uddanam** region. This project, backed by the **Department of Health Research (DHR)** and executed through the **Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)**, seeks to address a critical public health challenge identified by medical professionals over the last few decades.

T. Ravi Raju, a prominent nephrologist and former Vice-Chancellor of **NTR University of Health Sciences**, has been instrumental in recognizing the alarming rates of CKDu in the **Srikakulam district** since the early 1990s. Alongside his team from **Andhra Medical College (AMC)**, he conducted extensive field research that confirmed the disease’s prevalence. During a media conference on **November 21, 2023**, Dr. Raju outlined the project’s objectives and anticipated outcomes.

The research will incorporate novel biomarkers for the early detection of CKDu, enabling healthcare providers to initiate new treatment modalities, including a **quadruple therapy** approach. This innovative treatment is designed to halt the progression of CKD, which could significantly reduce the necessity for dialysis or kidney transplantation among affected individuals.

Dr. Raju emphasized the importance of comprehensive epidemiological studies aimed at identifying the root causes of CKDu in the Uddanam region. These investigations will also include **RNA sequencing** and genetic studies to explore potential genetic predispositions among the local population.

The DHR’s support will be crucial in establishing a dedicated research laboratory at AMC, which will facilitate various studies, including epidemiological, biochemical, and novel biomarker analyses, as well as personnel training. Dr. Raju reflected on the early observations of CKD cases at the **King George Hospital (KGH)**, where patients began presenting in significant numbers during the early 1990s. Medical camps in Srikakulam revealed a concerning prevalence of CKD, with systematic surveys indicating that approximately **18%** of the local population suffers from the condition, and in **75%** of these cases, the cause remains unknown.

Notably, the affected individuals in Uddanam are primarily agricultural workers, with both men, women, and children among those impacted. A distinctive aspect of this situation is that many of these patients do not have the common risk factors for CKD, such as diabetes or hypertension.

Dr. Raju expressed optimism regarding the potential outcomes of the current research efforts, stating that they could lead to better identification of the disease’s causes, facilitate early detection, and improve public health measures in the affected areas.

Present at the conference were other key figures, including **G. Prasad**, the principal investigator and head of the nephrology department at AMC, along with **KVSM Sandhya Devi**, principal of AMC, and **A. Krishnaveni**, vice-principal. The collective aim of these professionals is to advance understanding and treatment of CKDu, ultimately enhancing health outcomes in Uddanam and beyond.