A challenge to chronic kidney disease in Asia: The report of the second Asian Forum of Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative.

Background: The Asian Forum of Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative started in 2007 in Hamamatsu, Japan when delegates from 16 countries joined together to facilitate collaboration in studying chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Asia-Pacific region. Based on the outcome of the first meeting, the second meeting was organized as a consensus conference to frame the most relevant issues, and develop research recommendations and action plan.

Proceedings: The meeting was held on 4 May 2008 as a pre-conference meeting to the 11th Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology in Kuala Lumpur. This meeting consisted of three sessions: Session I was dedicated to the estimation of glomerular filtration rate and the standardization of serum creatinine measurements. Session II discussed specific considerations in the aetiology of and risk factors for end-stage renal disease in Asia. We concluded that there were regional specific problems that might lead to a very high prevalence of end-stage renal disease. Session III discussed the issue of facilitation of coordination and integration of the CKD initiative between developed and developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Conclusion: The following action plans were formulated: (i) validating the existing global estimated glomerular filtration rate equation or creating a new one using serum creatinine standardized by a central laboratory; (ii) establishing a pan-Asian CKD registry to facilitate risk analysis of CKD and its comorbidities; (iii) adapting existing clinical practice guidelines for CKD detection and management to address specific problems in this region; and (iv) working closely with other international professional organizations to promote manpower development and education in different aspects of CKD in developing countries.