Renal Research Service

The ISLHD Renal Service offers a number of academic research studies and clinical trials for people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). We have been involved in trials for rare kidney disorders, diabetes in kidneys, and studies aimed at slowing the progression of kidney disease and studies that involve renal transplant recipients and dialysis patients.

Contact information:

Address: Renal Service, ISLHD

               3 Dudley Street, Wollongong NSW 2500

Clinical Research Nurse: Yulan Shen

Email: ISLHD-KidneyResearch@health.nsw.gov.au

Phone: (02) 4222 5443 or (02) 4222 5775

Information for Patients

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What is clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a medical research study that looks for a better way to treat a disease or a medical problem. It can be a drug, medical procedure, medical device, or even a lifestyle change etc.

Are there any benefits in participating in a clinical trial?

There are several potential benefits to participating in research:

  • By participating in a research trial, you are able to play an active role in your health care
  • You may get free treatments or tests that are not available to the general public
  • You may get free consultations, such as dietician, physiotherapist etc.
  • You may be followed up more often, which might mean more or longer consultation, and in-depth tests.
  • You may understand more about your disease, and the possible treatments for it
  • Patients in future may benefit from the knowledge gained from the research

Is there a trial available for me?

Our trials are at all levels of kidney function, from early till end stage of kidney disease. Depending on your medical condition, we can match you with the trial. You can contact our research team via following contact details to register your interest:

Email: ISLHD-KidneyResearch@health.nsw.gov.au

Phone: (02) 4222 5443 or (02) 4222 5775

New trials start regularly. Once you have registered your interest, we will keep you in our ‘Research Waiting List’ so we can contact you once there is a suitable trial available for you.

More Information

To learn about clinical trials from people who have been there, please click here

Current Clinical Trials and research projects

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FIND-CKD

Kidney Function Level: Stage 1-4 or eGFR 25-90

Investigators: Jenny Chen, Jane Holt, Yulan Shen

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, Bayer Ltd.

Purpose: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter Phase 3 study to investigate the efficacy and safety of finerenone, i.e., 10 mg and 20 mg once daily, compared with placebo, on the progression of non-diabetic chronic kidney disease in male and female patients over 18 years of age, over minimum of 32-months of study intervention per participant, in addition to standard of care.

 

ACCESS-HD

Kidney Function Level: CKD-5

Investigators: Hicham Hassan, Pauline Byrne

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, The George Institute

Purpose: Comparing Catheters to Fistulas in Elderly Patients Starting Hemodialysis

 

TRACK

Kidney Function Level: Stage 4-5 or eGFR <30

Investigators: Jenny Chen, Hicham Hassan, Yulan Shen

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, The George Institute

Purpose: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, including those receiving dialysis, suffer from significant burden of heart and vascular disease. Because of increased risks of both clotting and bleeding, preventive heart disease treatment with blood-thinning medications is challenging in these patients. This trial will evaluate whether a small dose of rivaroxaban, a new blood-thinning medication for cardiovascular disease prevention, would reduce death or major events due to heart and vascular disease in patients with advanced kidney disease

 

PHOSPHATE

Kidney Function Level: Stage 5 or eGFR< 15 (Dialysis only)

Investigators: Hicham Hassan, Jenny Chen, Yulan Shen

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, AKTN

Purpose: Evaluate whether compared to high levels, lowering blood phosphate levels would reduce death or major events due to heart disease, improve physical health, and be cost-effective: Cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease event.

 

CARSK

Kidney Function Level: Stage 5 or eGFR<15 (Transplantation Work-up only)

Investigators: Jane Holt, Loreen Evans

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, NHMRC, CIHR

Purpose: Investigate whether after screening for wait list entry, no cardiac screening tests is non-inferior compared to the current standard care and whether to re-vascularise coronary stenosis in asymptomatic patients.

 

ASCEND-ND

Kidney Function Level: Stage 5 or eGFR<15 (Transplantation Work-up only)

Investigators: Karumathil Murali, Hicham Hassan, Yulan Shen

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, GSK

Purpose: Many patients with kidney disease develop anaemia, which makes them feel very tired. Currently anaemia in kidney patients is treated with an injection given weekly or fortnightly. This international research project is testing the effect of newly discovered tablet in place of the injection. If you have kidney disease and anaemia you may be suitable to take part in this project.

 

QUEST Initiative

Kidney Function Level: all stage

Investigators: Roger Cole, Narelle Illic

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, Sydney University

Purpose: Investigating the quality of life and health economic impact of medicinal cannabis on patients with chronic disease.

 

SYMBIOTiC Study

Kidney Function Level: Stage 3-4 or eGFR 15-59

Investigators: Anita Stefoska-Needham, Jordan Stanford

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, University of Wollongong, St George Hospital

Purpose: Investigate the effects of a novel renal dietary intervention (rich in plant foods, utilising a whole food dietary approach) designed to improve diet quality, symptom burden, the gastrointestinal microbiome as well as other health outcomes in adults with moderate-severe, pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

 

Renal Health Pathways

Kidney Function Level: 10

Investigators: Debbie Pugh, Kelly Lambert, Steve Gilbbeson

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD

Purpose: To investigate the association between the introduction of health pathways and referral quality to nephrology services.

 

HIRC 2

Kidney Function Level: all stage

Investigators: Kelly Lambert, Anna Lee, Mikki Smyth, Margreet Gutker

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, University of Wollongong

Purpose: To understand the perspectives and experiences of patients, carers, and health providers of CKD care to inform design of patient centered services.

 

HIRC 3

Kidney Function Level: all stage

Investigators: Kelly Lambert, Maureen Lonergan, Karumathil Murali, Anna Lee, Hicham Hassan, Shafiq Chowdhury

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, University of Wollongong

Purpose: Explore factors associated with the development, progression and hospitalization of CKD in ISLHD residents.

 

RAPID Program

Kidney Function Level: CKD 4-5

Investigators: Narelle Illic

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, University of Technology Sydney

Purpose: Examine data on widespread and longer-term use of medications and non-pharmacological interventions.

Past Research Projects and Clinical Trials

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Anemia Studies in Chronic Kidney Disease: Erythropoiesis Via a Novel Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor Daprodusta - Dialysis (ASCEND-D)

A phase 3 randomised, open label (sponsor blind), active controlled, parallel group, multicentre, event driven study in dialysis subjects with anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease to evaluate the safety, efficacy of daprodustat compared recombinant human erythropoietin, following a switch from erythropoientin-simulating agents.

Investigators: Karumathil Murali, Hicham Hassan, Yulan Shen, Donia George, Carmen Lemmon

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Wollongong Hospital, Shellharbour Hospital, Renal Medicine, Pharmacy Department, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services

 

 Randomised Controlled trial of slowing of Kidney Disease progression From the Inhibition of Xanthine oxidase (CKD-FIX)

The CKD-FIX trial aims to find out whether treatment with allopurinol, a commonly used drug for gout prevention, safely and effectively slows CKD progression.

Investigators: Jane Holt, Mikki Smyth

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine

External Partners: AKTN

 

Food as medicine: Safety of nuts in people with end stage kidney disease

Can nuts be used safely to improve bowel health in people with end stage kidney disease?

Investigators: Kelly Lambert, Yasmine Probst, Elizabeth Neale, Martina Smith, Maureen Lonergan

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics

External Partners: IHMRI

 

Health Impacts Research Cluster (HIRC) 1

Systematic review of factors associated with the progression of kidney disease.

Investigators: Kelly Lambert

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine

 

Peritoneal Dialysis - Patients Who Swim

Looking at proportion of PD patients who swim and subsequently develop an exit site infection.

Investigators: Anna Lee

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine

 

Peritonitis as risk factor for cardiovascular events

Prospective study examining peritonitis as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in the peritoneal dialysis population in a tertiary referral centre.

Investigators: Hicham Hassan, Kelly Lambert, Kristen Hepburn, Maureen Lonergan, Judy Mullen, Brendan McAlister

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine, Wollongong Hospital, Shellharbour Hospital, Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital, Milton Ulladulla Hospita

External Partners: CHRISP

 

REDUcing the burden of dialysis Catherter ComplicaTIONs: a National approach (REDUCCTION)

This project aims to define the national, clinical and economic burden of dialysis catheter infections in Australia, to implement an evidence-based intervention package and to establish a framework for monitoring dialysis catheter related bacteraemia.

Investigators: Pauline Byrne, Karumathil Murali, Hicham Cheikh Hassan

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine

External Partners: AKTN

 

Renal Resistive Index and CRF

Renal Resistive Index in assessment of risk and progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Investigators: Sarah Davis, Karumathil Murali, Kelly Lambert, David Huber

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Wollongong Hospital, Renal Medicine

External Partners: CHRISP, South Coast Vascular Laboratory

 

Safety and Efficacy of Using Nuts to Improve Bowel Health in Hemodialysis Patients

The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of using nuts to improve constipation in adults undertaking hemodialysis.

Investigators: Kelly Lambert, Maureen Lonergan, Luke Bird

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine

External Partners: School of Medicine, UoW; Microbiome and Host Health Programe, South Australia and Medical Research Institute; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, UoW; Department of Chemical Pathology, Pathology Queensland; IHMRI; The Almond Board of Australia.

 

Targeted Education ApproaCH to improve Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes (TEACH-PD): A feasibility study

An investigator-initiated, single-armed, non-randomised, pilot study assessing the use of training modules for both PD nurse trainers and incident PD patients undertaking PD training.

Investigators: Anna Lee, Maureen Lonergan

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine, Wollongong Hospital

External Partners: Australian Kidney Trials Network, AKTN

 

The Australasian Registry of Rare and Genetic Kidney Disease

To establish a national patient registry for children and adults with kidney disease with an emphasis on rare (< 1 in 2000) and genetic diseases.

Investigators: Maureen Lonergan

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Renal Medicine, Wollongong Hospital

 

The Relationship Between Treatment Adherence and Cognitive Impairment

This project aims to explore the relationship between cognitive function and adherence in CKD patients including those on dialysis after adjusting for potential confounders and evaluate strategies to improve adherence to therapies in this population.

Investigators: Karumathi Murali, Melissa Magil, Yulan Shen

ISLHD Sites and Departments: Wollongong hospital, Shellharbour Hospital, Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital

 

VALOR-CKD

Kidney Function Level: Stage 4-5 or eGFR 20-40

Investigators: Jane Holt, Hicham Cheikh Hassan, Yulan Shen, Donia George

Partners: Renal Service ISLHD, Tricida Inc.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of TRC1010 on the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and to evaluate the safety profile of TRC101 in CKD patients with metabolic acidosis.

Renal Staff Publications since 2020

Accordion Content

Changing landscape of dialysis withdrawal in patients with kidney failure: Implications for clinical practice
Journal: Nephrology
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jenny Chen

The change we seek: nephrology training in Australia and New Zealand
Journal: Internal Medicine Journal
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jenny Chen

Optimising health care for people living with chronic kidney disease: Health-professional perspectives
Journal: Journal of Renal Care
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Debbie Pugh, Anna Lee, Mikki Smith

Prescribed Water Intake in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Journal: NEJM Evidence
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jane Holt, Maureen Lonergan

Global Epidemiology, Health Outcomes, and Treatment Options for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Kidney Failure
Journal: Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jenny Chen

Temporal changes and risk factors of death from early withdrawal within 12 months of dialysis initiation - a cohort study
Journal: Nephrology Dialysis, Transplantation
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jenny Chen, Hicham Hassan

Changes in measures of cognitive function in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis and the effect of dialysis vintage: A longitudinal cohort study.
Journal: PLoS One
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Karumathil Murali, Hicham Hassan, Maureen Lonergan

Lessons for the clinical nephrologist: ureteric obstruction secondary to blood clot after kidney biopsy.
Journal: Journal of Nephrology
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Daniel O'Hara, Hicham Hassan

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Patients with CKD.
Journal: Kidney International reports
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Karumathil Murali, Hicham Hassan

Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis as a risk factor for cardiovascular events
Journal: Internal Medicine Journal
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Kirsten Hepburn, Maureen Lonergan, Hicham Hassan

Hemodialysis taping styles and their effect on reducing the venous dislodgement
Journal: Seminars in Dialysis
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Scott Dobson

Assessment of Dietary Sodium Intake using the Scored Salt Questionnaire in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Journal: Nutrients
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jane Holt, Maureen Lonergan

Comparison of health literacy profile of patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis versus non-dialysis chronic kidney disease and the influencing factors: a cross-sectional study.
Journal: BMC Open
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Karumathil Murali, Maureen Lonergan

A retrospective study on the epidemiology of ANCA-associated vasculitis in two Australian health districts
Journal: Internal Medicine Journal
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jane Holt

Breaking the adherence barriers: Strategies to improve treatment adherence in dialysis patients
Journal: Seminars in Dialysis
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Karumathil M Murali, Maureen Lonergan

Incidence and factors associated with geographical relocation in patients receiving renal replacement therapy
Journal: BMC Nephrology
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Hicham Hassan, Jenny Chen, Karumathil Murali

Associations between diabetes and sex with peritoneal dialysis technique and patient survival: Results from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry cohort study
Journal: Peritoneal Dialysis International: Journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jenny Chen

Barriers and enablers to detection and management of chronic kidney disease in primary healthcare: a systematic review
Journal: BMC Nephrology
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Kelly Lambert

Polyunsaturated fatty acid food frequency questionnaire validation in people with end stage renal disease on dialysis
Journal: Nutrition and Dietetics
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Kelly Lambert, Jane Holt

Safety and Efficacy of Using Nuts to Improve Bowel Health in Hemodialysis Patients
Journal: Journal of Renal Nutrition
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Kelly Lambert, Maureen Lonergan

Multicentre registry data analysis comparing outcomes of culture-negative peritonitis and different subtypes of culture-positive peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients
Journal: Peritoneal Dialysis International: Journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis
ISLHD Renal Author(s): Jenny Chen

Page last updated 11/11/2021