Specialized medical services

In the nephrology department, evidence-based medical care is provided for all diseases related to the kidney. It is specialized to examine abnormalities in urine such as hematuria and proteinuria found in a regular health check, chronic kidney diseases (e.g. IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic kidney disease), hereditary kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, edema and abnormalities in water, minerals and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. For nephritis and nephrotic syndrome, renal biopsy (45 cases in FY2020) is performed for histopathological diagnosis, and treatment regimen is decided according to the pathophysiology. In the case of advanced chronic kidney diseases, there is a renal education program in both inpatient and outpatient settings, in collaboration with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and other professionals, with the aim of “delaying renal replacement therapy as far as possible”. For the treatment of renal insufficiency, outpatient clinic exclusively for ‘the selection of renal replacement therapy’ is available, in which we support the introduction of all types of renal replacement therapy, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation in cooperation with urology, considering patient’s physical, mental and social conditions. After the introduction of renal replacement therapy, patients will be treated intermittently with the management of complications.

Features

For IgA nephropathy, patients will be treated with tonsillectomy (to be performed at the ENT department of another hospital) plus steroid administration toward complete remission. For rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis, intensive treatments are sometimes required using steroid pulse therapy, high-dose immunosuppressive agents, and plasma exchange. Specific treatments are designated for inheritable kidney diseases such as tolvaptan for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, rituximab for refractory nephrotic syndrome, and enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease. In the case of chronic kidney diseases, we are engaged in multidisciplinary team to delay or prevent the progression to end-stage renal failure. We are also actively engaged in the treatment and management of renal anemia and abnormalities in mineral and bone metabolism, as well as the close examination of cardiovascular disease risks. The blood purification department of the hospital provides a wide range of blood purification-related treatments, including hemodialysis, plasma exchange and immunoabsorption.

Consultation Guides for Patients to Nephrology Department

Please make an appointment through the Health and Welfare Network Department from the primary medical institution. If you find obvious proteinuria or hematuria in urine tests, or abnormalities in blood tests that show impaired kidney function (elevated serum creatinine, decreased eGFR, etc.), some kidney damages are indicated. It is a characteristic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that once it gets worse, it is often irreversible. CKD is also known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as end-stage renal failure, so please do not hesitate to inquire.