RE: epidemiology of chronic kidney disease of undetermined aetiology in Taiwanese farmers

We appreciate the reader’s response1 to our study on chronic kidney disease of undetermined or non-traditional aetiology (CKDu or CKDnT) among Taiwanese farmers.2 Indeed, in Table 1 of the original article, the difference between serum creatinine among farmers and non-farmers was not significant. It could be explained by the fact that the renal function of most of the participants was within the normal range, and only a small part (3.1% in farmers vs 1.3% in non-farmers) met the criteria for CKD; therefore, on average, the difference between renal function among farmers and non-farmers was not significant (Table 1 in the original article). Clinically speaking, we pay special attention to patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60, because this means that the patient has suffered mild-to-moderate decrease of kidney function. Accordingly, we have emphasised the risk of developing CKDu (eGFR <60) in our study population,...
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: PostScript Source Type: research