Welcome to ISN

Kidney disease is now a major health problem worldwide, with more than one million people on renal replacement therapy, and the numbers keep growing. It is worrisome that about 90% of these patients come from developed nations, signaling the limited access to dialysis in the emerging world, mostly for want of financial support. The costs of these treatments are high and they are taking their toll on the health budgets of these nations.

It is highly unlikely that in the near future we will have enough resources to finance universal access to dialysis, especially in the developing nations. Therefore, we believe that in the treatment of kidney disease the emphasis should shift to more effective and less expensive therapies. This will only be possible through preventive approaches.

Diabetes Mellitus, for instance, is the leading cause of renal disease worldwide. It has been shown that exercise, a diet low in calories, and maintaining an ideal weight prevents the ravages of this disease. It has also been demonstrated that prevention of progression of renal disease is now feasible. The reduction of high blood pressure and proteinuria with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or receptor antagonism, along with non-pharmacological measures such as exercise and smoking cessation, offer protection against renal disease.