By Arlene Lamban, MD, FPSN, FPCP
Despite the unprecedented delays caused by natural calamities, the pandemic, and the resulting lockdowns, the Research Committee remained steadfast and committed to fulfilling the research-related tasks and activities of the Society. Research training for the fellows-in-training kicked off last September 6, 2020, with a lecture on the “10 Survival Tips on Developing Your Research” by Dr. Amiel Bermudez.
The Annual Research Presentation, led by the Research Committee Chairman Dr. Arlene Afaga, was held last September 16, 2020. Various topics on the different areas of Nephrology were presented, with the top pick entitled “Association Between Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and in-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Sepsis-Induced AKI: A 5-Yr Retrospective Review Study from 2014-2018”, thus awarded to UST Hospital’s Dr. Lei Anne Carolino. This was followed by the paper “Annual Rate of Decline of Renal Function Among Non-Dialysis CKD Patients Seen in PGH (Retrospective Cohort Study) from UP-PGH by Dr. Daniel Guevarra in second place, and finally a paper on “The Association Between Urea Kinetic Modeling with Anxiety & Depression Among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis at the USTH: A Cross-sectional Study” from Dr. Maureen Balmes-Garcia of UST Hospital for third place.
The Research Committee is currently working with other medical groups in formulating guidelines for hypertension and lipid management. The Society recognizes the importance of collaborative, multi-center studies thus engaging in on-going studies like the following: (1) Evaluating the role of HP among COVID19 positive patients who developed AKI; (2) the collaborative study with ISN on the incidence and management of dialysis patients with COVID19 infections; (3) the possible resumption of the CHOPS project in line with REDCOP which is now under the direct management of the DOH, and; (4) the follow-up study on the rate of GFR decline among non-dialysis CKD Filipino patients. The goal is to be able to consolidate scientific experiences and opinions in order to come up with concrete clinical renal practice guidelines as the country steps toward the full implementation of Universal Health Care.
The upcoming year will be as busy as we start with a series of webinars that will teach the fellows-in-training about formulating a research proposal, how to write the final paper for publication and instruction on the actual annual paper presentation. The Society continues to champion this endeavor by providing financial support for authors who will fulfill the criteria for research grants.
