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Research Areas

Renal

Renal

Our role is to support the delivery of high quality clinical research in Renal Disorders and manage participant recruitment to time and target, both for studies which are led from Scotland, and studies led from other nations which Scottish sites are participating in.  We provide support in the following areas:

  • Managing the study portfolio record
  • Monitoring the attainment of recruitment targets
  • Providing advice on study design and feasibility
  • Troubleshooting issues with poor recruitment
  • Identifying potential sites for studies
  • Facilitating access to resource to support research, for example through Clinical Research Facility (CRF) Research Nurses.
  • Facilitating research links and networking.

At present, NRS Renal Specialty supports approximately 41 renal studies across Scotland. In 2014/2015 30 renal studies recruited almost 700 patients across 11 health boards in Scotland.

Renal Studies

We focus on research that deals with the investigation, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of all types and stages of kidney disease. Our aim is to have a beneficial impact on quality of life by ensuring that people who have kidney disease have the opportunity to know about, and participate in relevant clinical research studies.

We support and promote research:

  • Involving medicines to treat kidney disease
  • In acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, dialysis and kidney transplantation
  • In disorders of the bladder and urinary problems
  • In vasculitis, diabetic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis
  • Into inherited kidney disease such as polycystic kidney disease and other rarer kidney disorders
  • To reduce the complications of kidney disease such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
  • To improve the symptom control and quality of life of patients with kidney failure
  • developing imaging technology such as MRI, ultrasound and CT scanning
  • To improve outcomes for patients needing dialysis or kidney transplants.

Information for patients, carers and the public

NHS Research Scotland is committed to actively involving patients, those who care for them and the public in all aspects of the research process, including shaping future research activity. Read more

Key Contacts

Specialty Lead: Dr Samira Bell

Performance Manager: Graeme Piper