Recently a group of Renal Division faculty members, Washington University faculty, staff and residents traveled to Guatemala for scientific meetings and interchange.
Tim Laux, MD, a third-year resident reported on the results of his investigation of the unexplained chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemic among young male sugar cane workers in a poster entitled, “Prevalence of Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease of Non-Traditional Causes in Southwestern Guatemala Hemodialysis Patients: A Descriptive Study”; Authors: Laux, Timothy; Barnoya, Joaquin; Cipriano, Ever; Herrera, Erick; Lopez, Noemi; Sanchez, Vicente; Rothstein, Marcos; Washington University in St. Louis and Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social.
One theory holds that poor fluid intake, physical exertion and high ambient temperatures combine to make these young workers susceptible to kidney damage.
The team shares one idea to combat the problem: Drink More Water!
Putting advice into practice by drinking water:
Part of the Global Health Scholars-Guatemala team with their hosts:
