Chronic Kidney Disease (Stages 3b-5)

Objectives: This pilot study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in dialysis patients and atrial fibrillation (AF) to establish a novel stroke prevention strategy and determine an optimal post-occlusion antithrombotic regime. Page 3 of 50 Hypothesis: The study tests the hypotheses that LAAO is safe for dialysis patients, that a single antiplatelet regimen postprocedure is safe, and that LAAO effectively reduces the composite endpoint of stroke/transient ischemic attack and major bleeding compared to standard care. Instruments: The study employs a multicenter, single-arm prospective registry design. Eligible participants, aged ≥18 with documented AF and ESRF on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), will undergo LAAO using the Watchman Flx PRO device. Propensity score matched historical cohort from dialysis registry will be identified for comparison. Main Outcome Measures: The primary endpoint is the composite of stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism and non-procedural-related major bleeding at one year. Secondary endpoints include individual rates of these events, procedural safety and device occlusion effectiveness. Data Analysis and Expected Results: Statistical analysis will involve descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and propensity score matching. A p-value of \<0.05 will be deemed significant. The pilot study anticipates a low peri-procedural complication rate (≤5%) and confirms LAAO's efficacy in stroke and major bleeding reduction in Chinese PD and HD patients compared to standard care. This data will inform the design of a larger randomized controlled trial aimed at validating LAAO as a safe alternative for AF management in dialysis populations.

Standard chronic kidney disease (CKD) guidelines frequently restrict nut intake due to concerns regarding their phosphorus and potassium content. While uncontrolled phosphorus loading exacerbates secondary hyperparathyroidism, vascular calcification, and mortality, overly restrictive diets can preclude the intake of essential cardioprotective nutrients. Phytate (myo-inositol hexaphosphate), abundant in fiber-rich foods like pistachios, acts as a natural inhibitor of calcium salt deposition, potentially mitigating vascular calcification. Crucially, the phosphorus in nuts is largely organically bound as phytate, which resists enzymatic cleavage in the human gastrointestinal tract, significantly reducing its intestinal bioavailability. Given these properties, moderate pistachio consumption may offer cardiovascular benefits without compromising mineral metabolism. This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects of pistachio supplementation on circulating and urinary phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients with CKD. This study is an open-label, randomized, controlled crossover clinical trial involving patients with stage 4 and 5 (non-dialysis) CKD. All participants will undergo a 1-week run-in period to initiate a standardized pre-dialysis renal diet (protein 0.8 g/kg/day, potassium 39 mg/kg/day, phosphorus 12 mg/kg/day). Following the run-in, participants will be randomized (1:1 ratio) to one of two 4-week dietary sequences of Pistachio Diet period (30 g/day of pistachios) or Control Diet period. The sequences will be separated by a 4-week washout period. Venous blood and 24-hour urine samples will be collected and serum biomarkers: Phosphorus, potassium, PTH, FGF23, MDA, fasting glucose, creatinine, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and alkaline phosphatase and urinary phosphorus, sodium, uric acid, and potassium will be measured.

This project aims to develop mapping of food choices available for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients when dining out in Singapore. Following the mapping, a mobile application will be developed based on renal dining out food map mobile application (RENDOFOMAP) and trialed on patients with CKD. The specific aims of the project include: 1. Mapping out food choices suitable for patients with CKD when dining out in Singapore which will eventually be translated into a mobile application incorporating simple AI functionality. 2. To evaluate the impact of using RENDOFOMAP on self-empowerment, quality of life, nutritional status, and serum biochemistry in patients with CKD. 3. To evaluate the acceptability and user experience of RENDOFOMAP Participants with CKD will use the newly developed mobile application to find out if there is improvement in self-empowerment, quality of life, nutritional status, and serum biochemistry.

This study aims to evaluate whether dorzagliatin can improve glycemic homeostasis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated by chronic renal insufficiency, and to compare the efficacy of dorzagliatin with linagliptin in improving glycemic control in patients with T2DM and moderate to severe chronic renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration rate \[eGFR\] \<45 mL/min/1.73 m²). This is a prospective, randomized, active-controlled, multicenter clinical study planned to enroll 206 eligible patients. After successful screening, patients will enter a 2-week run-in period consisting of diet and exercise control together with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Eligible patients will then be randomized to receive dorzagliatin 75 mg twice daily (BID) or linagliptin 5 mg once daily (QD) on top of background antihyperglycemic therapy. Basal insulin therapy will be standardized to insulin glargine U300 after treatment initiation. The treatment period will last 14 weeks, followed by a 1-week safety follow-up period.

Anemia in CKD patients is mainly attributed to impaired kidney being unable to adequately respond to hypoxia and/or anaemia by inducing erythropoietin (EPO) production iron disorders, blood loss, shortened erythrocyte survival time and inflammation. High mortality among patients with advanced renal failure is directly related to the severity of anemia and hypoalbuminemia, particularly within the first six months.4, 5 Currently, the main treatment modalities for anemia in CKD include injections of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs), iron supplementation, and blood transfusion. EPO resistance and iron refractory anemia require red blood cell transfusions. The rationale of this study is to compare the effectiveness of daprodustat versus epoetin alpha on hemoglobin level in patients with chronic kidney disease not on hemodialysis. Literature showed that epoetin alpha has better effectiveness in improving hemoglobin level and curing anemia in CKD patients. But conflicting results have been osbevred showing no difference in both drugs. In routine, both drugs are recommended for anemia in non-dialysis CKD patients. This trial is planned to check the effect of Daprodustat in patients not undergoing dialysis is primarily to provide an effective, orally administered alternative to current injectable anemia treatments, which are associated with several limitations and safety concerns. The treatment strategies and effectiveness optimization for patients with chronic kidney disease complicated by anemia remain a key issue that urgently needs to be addressed.

The clinical trial will be conducted in a real-world outpatients setting with the goal of learning if monitoring serum potassium frequently among patients with moderate-to-advanced stages of chronic kidney disease leading to optimal management of hyperkalemia (the reduced occurrence of serum potassium ≥ 5.0 mmol/L during 6 months of follow-up). It will also learn about the adherence of using a mobile monitoring device. Participants will: * Measure their serum potassium using an AI-enhanced point-of-care ECG device at least twice per week * Receive health education prompts to reduce intake of potassium rich foods if their electrocardiogram device measured serum potassium is abnormal * Receive alerts to visit nephrology clinic if their electrocardiogram device measured serum potassium is continuously abnormal