KUWAIT: The American Journal of Nephrology recently published a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers and specialists from Kuwait University, the Ministry of Health and the Dasman Diabetes Institute. The study delves into a comprehensive exploration of the correlation between genetic mutations and the decline of kidney function in patients suffering from hereditary dominant polycystic kidney disease (DPKD).

Dr Hamad Yassin, Secretary-General of the Kuwaiti Society for Organ Transplantation and the lead researcher of the study, emphasized its significance in advancing our understanding of polycystic kidney disease. The goal is to identify patients at higher risk of rapid renal function deterioration, enabling more targeted and effective therapeutic interventions.

According to Dr Yassin, the study sheds light on the intricate relationship between genetic mutations and the deterioration of kidney function in individuals with the disease. The formation of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys results in enlarged kidney size and a gradual decline in function.

This pioneering study, the first of its kind in Kuwait, tracked 42 patients, including 22 with truncated mutations in the PKD1 gene and 20 with non-truncated mutations, over an average of six years. The findings revealed that patients with truncated mutations experienced a faster deterioration in kidney function compared to those with non-truncated mutations.

Utilizing computer modeling, the researchers calculated the annual rates of decreased renal function and survival time without renal failure. The results indicated that patients with truncated mutations have a shorter survival time on the kidneys compared to those with non-truncated mutations.

Dr Yassin underscored the importance of scientific research as a catalyst for advancing healthcare services, emphasizing the current focus on providing personalized healthcare based on individual genetic characteristics. He highlighted that the study, published in the prestigious American Journal of Nephrology, was primarily funded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS).

These research endeavors, Dr Yassin noted, lead to improved therapeutic outcomes, reduced complications and open new avenues in transformative medicine. He emphasized the critical role of continuous investment in scientific research for the development and enhancement of healthcare services.

Expressing gratitude to KFAS, Dr Yassin praised the foundation’s active role in supporting scientific research in Kuwait. He stressed that the foundation’s support is pivotal for achieving scientific leadership, nurturing a generation of globally competitive scientists and researchers. Dr Yassin concluded by affirming that investing in scientific research is an investment in the nation’s future, urging the need to continue support for sustainable scientific progress. — KUNA