The 1st ERA-EDTA CME course in Cyprus will deal with recent breakthroughs in immunonephrology and inherited kidney diseases with emphasis on hematurias. The CME course will take place 28-29 March, in Nicosia with the participation of 14 so far renowned scientists, including the President of the World Nephrology Association Guiseppe Remuzzi. The ERA-EDTA CME course is organized by the University of Cyprus’ Molecular Medicine Research Centre.

Itwill focus on three main issues, relating to immunonephrology, inherited forms of hematuria and medullary cystic kidney disease. In addition to formal lectures and time for discussion during the conference, five 'Meet the Expert' sessions are included. The main aim of these sessions is to assist in informing practicing clinicians and provide time and opportunity for asking the experts, questions of every-day clinical practice on the presented topics.

In Cyprus, research on Nephrology dates back to 1984. Recently, the University of Cyprus’ Molecular Medicine Research Centre focused on the development of research projects in the field of inherited kidney disorders. A press conference recently took place in Nicosia, in the presence of Minister of Health Dr Petros Petrides, during which the results of the research on kidney disorders were presented. Director of the University of Cyprus’ Molecular Medicine Research Centre, Dr Konstantinos Deltas said that his research team has been engaged in research on hereditary kidney diseases for the last 22 years, with publications in international journals. “The Research Center for Molecular Medicine is a reference center for the whole of Cyprus and Greece” he said. Referring to the kidney diseases, he said that a large number of the general population suffers from a hereditary kidney disease, while up to 10% of adults have some degree of renal insufficiency, either hereditary or otherwise.

The Minister of Health said that the achievements of the research in Cyprus are of international importance, and assured the scientists of the Ministry’s support to their work. Speaking at the press conference, Dr Alkis Pierides, former Director of Nephrology at the Nicosia General Hospital, said that Cyprus’ research program on the hereditary kidney diseases began in 1984 and constitutes a “brilliant and successful example of medical research involving more than 70 scientists, several thousand Cypriot patients and more than 100 successful publications in international journals and presentations at international conferences”.

Dr Michalis Zavros, Director of the Nephrology Clinic at the Nicosia General Hospital, said that renal diseases are increasing and are becoming a global problem. He said that one in ten Cypriots, or 80,000 people, will suffer from problems of kidney disease in the coming years, and therefore, early detection is key to quality of life. “There is need for continuous research on kidney diseases in order to tackle this problem radically and in its entirety," he concluded.

Source: Famagusta Gazette