Introduction Keeping track of blood sugar levels is the most important step in knowing whether the patient’s diabetes is under control. HbA1c is one of the tests doctors use to monitor diabetes control. Although HbA1c holds the promise of more efficient patient care and improved management of diabetes, it is …

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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is diagnosed when there is either a) 50% loss of normal kidney function which persists for at least 3 months OR b) presence of kidney damage diagnosed by: urine abnormalities or abnormal findings on a kidney biopsy or abnormal radiological abnormalities Kidney function is measured in …

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Introduction Chemicals in urine can cause the formation of kidney stones. Changes in your diet might help, especially when you know what type of kidney stone you have. The most common types of kidney stones are calcium and oxalate. The other type of kidney stone is uric acid. By knowing …

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Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) therapy ESAs are a group of medications which are used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. These agents are used to correct anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. What are the types of ESAs available currently in Malaysia? Currently, there are five …

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Introduction In February 2002, the National Kidney Foundation published clinical care guidelines for chronic kidney disease (CKD). These guidelines help your doctor determine your stage of kidney disease based on the presence of kidney damage and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a measure of your level of kidney function. …

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As a CKD patient, what can I do to prevent or manage CVD? You should focus on three key areas of action: Aggressively manage risk factors to prevent or retard worsening of CVD Watch for classic symptoms Get proper tests and screenings How can I reduce my risk of CVD? …

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Epidemiology Patients with CKD have greatly increased risks of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular deaths. This increased risk begins when there is microalbuminuria even with normal GFR (glomerular filtration rate), or when GFR falls below half normal, i.e. about 50 mls/min/1.73m3. In fact, CKD patients are more likely to die of …

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Introduction Iron is essential for the formation of red blood cell haemoglobin. Iron deficiency is common in patients with chronic kidney disease. This is especially true of patients on haemodialysis for the most advanced level of kidney impairment known as CKD stage 5 patients on haemodialysis where it has been …

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What is MRSA infection? MRSA means ‘methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus’. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin of people and in people’s nose. Methicillin is an antibiotic that can usually kill these bacteria but unfortunately, some of them cannot be ‘killed-off’ with methicillin and hence they are …

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What is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a virus which can infect the liver and causes liver disease. Hepatitis C is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. You may have an increased chance of getting Hepatitis C if you : Inject illegal drugs Received blood transfusions …

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