Dr. Dylan Burger and his team have discovered that people with type 1 diabetes have more kidney microparticles in their urine than those without diabetes. These tiny pieces of cells released into the body by injured or dying cells have the potential to be an early warning sign of kidney disease. The study, published in Diabetologia, found that while healthy participants had little to no kidney microparticles in their urine, 30 percent of the 25 people with diabetes who were tested had higher levels. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in Canada, but is hard to detect because people often have no symptoms until the advanced stages. Current screening for kidney disease involves testing for protein in the urine, but it only appears when the kidneys are quite damaged. Kidney microparticles may be in the urine even in the earliest stages of kidney disease because they are released under minor cell stress. This study sets the stage for further research into using these particles as early markers of kidney disease, which could help with prevention. Authors: Lytvyn Y, Xiao F, Kennedy CR, Perkins BA, Reich HN, Scholey JW, Cherney DZ, Burger D Funders: Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
For further information, please contact
Amelia Buchanan Senior Communication Specialist Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687 Cell: 613-297-8315 ambuchanan@ohri.ca
