My research focus is on preventing common diseases. I have been addressing questions with scientific and clinical importance, primarily in the areas of nephrology and urology, and exploring the role of modifiable factors. The combination of my training in nephrology and epidemiology has evolved into a strong interest in ‘metabolic epidemiology’. Much of this work has examined and then challenged existing beliefs, leading to important changes in clinical practice and our understanding of common conditions. Using prospective data from over 200,000 participants in three large, ongoing cohort studies, we are actively studying a variety of chronic conditions including:
1. Nephrolithiasis: Nephrolithiasis is common and recurrences should be preventable. We are actively studying genetic and environmental factors, including diet, that contribute to stone. We have also collected 24 hour urine samples from over 4000 participants with and without a history of nephrolithiasis and have a program project grant to understand the risk factors and molecular mechanisms that influence urine composition.
2. Hypertension: Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality but is potentially preventable. We have been identifying novel risk factors, including dietary factors and analgesic use, that influence risk of developing hypertension. We now beginning genome wide association studies to examine genetic contributions and also gene-environment interactions.
3. Gout: Gout is a common cause of inflammatory arthritis and the risk is determined by the serum uric acid level. We have identified factors that influence the risk of gout and also the serum uric acid concentration. We are now beginning to examine genetic factors that influence serum uric acid.
4. Other conditions actively under study include: renal function decline, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, incontinence, and hyponatremia.
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