Sounding the Alarm on Chronic Kidney Disease in Farming Communities: María Isabel Rodríguez MD. Minister of Health, El Salvador

Conner Gorry

doi:10.37757/mr2013v15.n3.3

Abstract

In April 2013, consortium of regional health ministries, nongovernmental organizations, aid agencies, clinical specialists and researchers from diverse sectors convened in San Salvador to discuss epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown or non-traditional causes (CKDu) plaguing agricultural communities in Central America and beyond. The three-day meeting, where presentation of research on clinical and epidemiological characteristics of CKDu roused significant debate, led Pan American Health Organization to declare CKDu a pressing and serious health problem [which] represents burden for families, communities, health systems and society as whole.[1] This High-level Meeting on Chronic Kidney Disease of Non-Traditional Causes in Central America (24-26 April) followed several international meetings at which Dr Maria Isabel Rodriguez, El Salvador's Minister of Health, presented studies on disease burden in her country, where end-stage renal disease is leading cause of hospital deaths. She outlined results of original scientific research by Dr Carlos Orantes (first published in MEDICC Review), that described an elevated prevalence of chronic kidney disease, chronic renal failure and risk factors among patients studied, noting that the most common [form] was chronic kidney disease of unknown cause, associated with neither diabetes nor hypertension.[2] In this interview with MEDICC Review, Dr Rodriguez discussed gravity of problem in Salvadoran agricultural communities; importance of CKDu research in other countries; and urgent need for intersectoral action and active community participation to confront and control epidemic.

Highlights

This High-level Meeting on Chronic Kidney Disease of NonTraditional Causes in Central America (24–26 April) followed several international meetings at which Dr María Isabel Rodríguez, El Salvador’s Minister of Health, presented studies on the disease burden in her country, where end-stage renal disease is the leading cause of hospital deaths
Among the patients studied, noting that “the most common [form] was chronic kidney disease of unknown cause, associated with neither diabetes nor hypertension.”[2]. In this interview with MEDICC Review, Dr Rodríguez discussed the gravity of the problem in Salvadoran agricultural communities; the importance of CKDu research in other countries; and the urgent need for intersectoral action and active community participation to confront and control the epidemic
MEDICC Review: How would you characterize the epidemic of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes affecting your country?

Summary

Introduction

This High-level Meeting on Chronic Kidney Disease of NonTraditional Causes in Central America (24–26 April) followed several international meetings at which Dr María Isabel Rodríguez, El Salvador’s Minister of Health, presented studies on the disease burden in her country, where end-stage renal disease is the leading cause of hospital deaths. Among the patients studied, noting that “the most common [form] was chronic kidney disease of unknown cause, associated with neither diabetes nor hypertension.”[2] In this interview with MEDICC Review, Dr Rodríguez discussed the gravity of the problem in Salvadoran agricultural communities; the importance of CKDu research in other countries; and the urgent need for intersectoral action and active community participation to confront and control the epidemic.

Results

Conclusion