Stepping into the Future of Renal Medicine at the RSA 2007 Meeting

The Renal Society of Australasia Board has recently presented their 35th annual national conference. Held at the stunning location of Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth, the conference proved to be entertaining, informative and challenging. Attendees were presented with a variety of esteemed guest speakers and international experts who considered a broad range of topics. In addition, workshops, trade exhibitions, poster sessions and an excellent social program ensured the conference was interactive and enjoyable for all involved. Some interesting topics of presentation included the incidence of anaemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, use of erythropoietin stimulating agents and psychological care of patients with chronic renal disease.

The 35th Renal Society of Australasia National Conference was successfully held from the 15th to 18th of August of 2007. The annual conference entitled ‘Stepping into the Future’ took place at Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth, Western Australia. Nurses, doctors, clinical educators, renowned guest speakers, various experts and professors from both interstate and overseas (predominantly from the United States and United Kingdom) attended. Like its predecessors, the 35th meeting was a spectacular success and was described as informative, dynamic, enjoyable and challenging for those involved. The three and a half day program consisted of a series of workshops (covering staff retention, patient empowerment, transplantation issues and pre-end stage care), poster presentations, trade exhibitions, lectures and guest speaker presentations, as well as vibrant social events. A broad range of topical issues were addressed during the conference. In addition, the most novel research and breakthroughs in the field of renal medicine and dialysis were presented.One of the pertinent issues discussed was the incidence of anaemia in dialysis and kidney transplant patients. This is just one of the many identified complexities and co-morbidities associated with chronic kidney disease. Variations in haemoglobin levels have potential risks for patients in terms of cardiovascular diseases, transfusion requirements and overall quality of life. Research by Suzanne Johnson from Wollongong Hospital identified younger age, female gender, reduced body weight and darbepoetin treatment, as factors contributing to greater haemoglobin variability in haemodialysis patients. This knowledge could assist in the choice of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) and haemoglobin replacement strategies in the future. The succeeding presentation by Beverley Hiles of Lismore Base Hospital confirmed that over 70% of renal transplant patients suffer anaemia which could potentially affect graft function. To date this problem has been under-investigated and under-treated in Australia. Developing clinical practice protocols on the effective use of ESAs is therefore an essential requirement in the future.Several featured posters also centred on the above theme. One poster by Margaret Morris considered the incidence of adverse reactions to epoetins in chronic kidney disease. She concluded that recombinant human erythropoietin epoetin alfa (Eprex) and the more recently developed alternative darbepoetin alfa are both safe and effective in the treatment of anaemia of chronic kidney disease. Adverse reactions tend to be mild, non-life-threatening, difficult to distinguish from symptoms of CKD (such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and pruritus) and resolve following cessation of the medications. However, a controlled system for monitoring new unexplained symptoms or adverse events is necessary, particularly with the introduction of a third epoetin agent to the Australian market. Other posters considered a broad range of issues. Case presentations of interesting and rare clinical diseases such as Fabry’s disease were displayed. Insight into this rare, X-linked recessive genetic disorder and new enzyme replacement therapies was provided. Posters also addressed practical issues such as overcoming ABO incompatibility in kidney transplants by using a Glycosorb column. This technology could potentially increase the pool of kidney donors. In addition, health professionals were given the opportunity to develop skills and understanding in the use of ‘Vax Suction Dressings’ for diabetic wound complications. Finally, a poster by Lesley Salem of Lower Hunter New England Area Health Service offered perspectives on the burden of Indigenous CKD and the lack of appropriate screening and community services in New South Wales. Perhaps one of the greatest highlights of the conference was Jean Hooper’s presentations on the psychological care of pre-dialysis patients. Having practiced as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at a renal service in the United Kingdom, Jean Hooper provided two stimulating, interactive and entertaining presentations on the psychological difficulties experienced by people with kidney failure. By considering theories of learning and psychological methods of health/illness behaviour, she proposed barriers and factors influencing education and care of patients with CKD. The audience was challenged to consider the broad range of influences on individuals trying to cope with the dependency, loss, trauma, relationship changes and major life adjustments associated with chronic renal disease and perhaps reconsider their mechanisms for educating and dealing with these patients. Overall, the conference was a remarkable success. The 36th Renal Society of Australasia Annual Conference in set to be held in Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour from 26th to 28th of June 2008. The conference theme will be ‘Empowerment Through Caring’. Sources:

1. RSA, The Renal Society of Australasia 35th National Conference- Abstracts, Renal Society of Australasia Journal, 2007; 3 (supp 1).
2. Bond C, Have you Seen the New- “Vax Suction Machine?” (Poster 372) RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
3. Hiles B, Prevalence of Renal Transplant Anaemia (Lecture 309), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
4. Hooper J, Psychological Care if the Pre-dialysis Patient- Understanding Change (Presentation 200), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
5. Johnson S, Haemoglobin Variability- Looking at the Evidence (Lecture 308), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
6. Morris M, Adverse Reactions to Epoetins in Chronic Kidney Disease (Poster 274), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
7. Salem L, Using Knowledge to Safegurad our Nations- A collaborative Approach to Vascular and Renal Health in Aboriginal communities within the Countries of North-Eastern NSW (Poster 369), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
8. Shakespeare K, Fabry’s Disease- “A Patients Perspective,” (Poster 380), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.
9. Sinclair P, ABO Incompatible Transplants: A Nephrology Nurse’s Perspective (Poster 374), RSA Conference, Perth, Western Australia 2007.