Dr Rosnawati Binti Yahya

Spokesperson: Dr Rosnawati Binti Yahya, Consultant Nephrologist and Kidney Transplantation Physician, Sunway Medical Centre (SMC)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is often described as a “quiet disease”, one that progresses silently until damage is advanced. The worldwide prevalence of CKD shows that women develop the condition at a rate of 11.8% while men develop it at a rate of 10.4%.[1] The Malaysian data shows the same distribution pattern because women have a 14% prevalence rate slightly exceeding men at 12%.[2]

The gender gap is not always obvious in day-to-day practice. “What we consistently see is that the majority of CKD is still driven by metabolic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and these affect men and women in fairly similar numbers,”explains Dr Rosnawati.

Diabetes and hypertension are biggest culprits

Up to 86% of CKD cases in kidney centres are caused by metabolic disease. The Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant 2023 Registry data shows that diabetes and hypertension are the main causes of kidney failure, accounting for 56% and 30% of cases respectively. [3] The two conditions operate in the background to gradually damage the kidneys through multiple years without showing any apparent signs.

What remains concerning is that so many people find out about their kidney condition too late. Many only discover they have CKD when kidney function has already declined significantly, sometimes just when dialysis becomes an immediate necessity.“This is why screening is important. The first three stages of CKD are usually asymptomatic. If you wait for symptoms, you are already late,” Dr Rosnawati emphasises.

Gender factor in autoimmune disease

While kidney disease can affect anyone, women are more like to experience autoimmune-related kidney conditions. One of the most common is lupus nephritis, a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although rarer in men, the symptoms and kidney damage are often more severe when it occurs.

“SLE mainly affects women, with female-to-male ratios as high as 9 to 1.[4] When it involves the kidneys, women still make up most cases,” says Dr Rosnawati.

Oversight on symptoms

Dr Rosnawati shares one of the reasons CKD remains underdiagnosed, particularly among women, is that its symptoms are easily dismissed. Symptoms are frequently mistaken for everyday life or hormonal changes, such as persistent tiredness or fatigue that is usually blamed on being too busy with household, work or childcare; lethargy that is often dismissed as anaemia, menstrual symptoms or tiredness; frequent night-time urination which some women attribute it to weakened pelvic floor muscles after childbirth; and swelling in the legs, ankles or face, which may be dismissed as fluid retention.

“Women often normalize these symptoms. They assume it is stress, ageing, or hormones instead of kidney disease,” she says. However, she shares some red flag symptoms that could indicate CKD such as changes in urination (frequency, color, or foamy urine), loss of appetite or nausea or high blood pressure that is hard to control.

Blood test results can be misleading, especially for women. Creatinine levels, a primary indicator of kidney function, are directly affected by muscle mass. She urges women not to rely on numbers alone but to ask their doctor what those numbers really mean for them.

“Since women generally have less muscle than men, a ‘normal’ creatinine level might still mask early kidney issues. A reading of 90 may be fine for a large man, but in a petite woman, it could signal reduced kidney reserve,” explains Dr Rosnawati.

Female life stages that leave long-term imprint on kidney health

Pregnancy and menopause are two life events that can increase a woman’s risk of future kidney problems. Complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes indicate persistent vascular or metabolic issues, raising the risk of hypertension, proteinuria, and CKD two to four times. After menopause, lower oestrogen further reduces kidneys and blood vessels protection, potentially accelerating disease progression.

“Additionally, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has emerged as a significant but under-recognised risk factor. It is closely linked to insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. It can also lead to diabetes and high blood pressure earlier in life, both major causes of kidney damage over time,” Dr Rosnawati adds.

Dr Rosnawati stresses the importance of getting blood pressure and blood sugar tests every year. “Just because blood pressure or blood sugar normalises at one stage of life does not mean the risk disappears. Women need long-term follow-up, even if they feel well,” she says.

Early warnings and simple tests

For women, especially those with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, autoimmune disease, or a history of pregnancy complications, early screening for kidney disease is not optional, it is essential. Just three simple tests can catch trouble early:

• A blood test for kidney function
• A urine test for protein (preferably a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio)
• A blood pressure check

“Protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, yet many dipstick tests miss it. Early detection changes everything as there are so many treatment options available. With the right treatment, kidney decline can also be slowed dramatically,” says Dr Rosnawati.

“Our goal is preservation. If we can reduce the kidney decline from 10% a year to just 2%, many patients may never need dialysis,” she explains.

CKD develops quietly, often going unnoticed until it is advanced. Therefore, recognising the signs early and taking prompt action is important. For women who look after others, remember that your health is the foundation of the care you provide. Hence, prioritising your own health is essential, not selfish.

“Even if you feel fine, get checked. Do not wait for symptoms. If your blood tests are ‘normal’ but something still feels off, ask your doctor about your kidneys,” urges Dr Rosnawati.

*****
References:

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2157171621000666

[2] https://nkf.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nkf-may13_1.pdf

[3]https://msn.org.my/nrr/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FinalChapter-2_HooiChoo-Najdah-Jasmine-v2_ong28-Oct-2024_v5.pdf

[4]https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/epidemiology-of-systemic-lupus-erythematosus-prevalence-incidence-and-risk-factors.pdf

The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, has launched Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care, known as WITEC. The initiative is Singapore’s first research center dedicated to developing a wearable ultrasound imaging system capable of up to 48 hours of intermittent cardiovascular imaging. The technology is designed to support continuous and real-time monitoring of chronic conditions including hypertension and heart failure.

The multi-million-dollar, multi-year project is funded by the National Research Foundation Singapore under the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise program. It brings together researchers from MIT, Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore. Tan Tock Seng Hospital is the clinical collaborator and will lead patient trials to validate long-term heart imaging for chronic cardiovascular disease management.

WITEC’s laboratory is equipped with advanced precision tools, including Southeast Asia’s first Nanoscribe Quantum X sub-micrometer 3D printer and Singapore’s first Verasonics Vantage NXT 256 ultrasonic imaging system. The 3D printer enables fabrication at sub-micrometer resolution, allowing researchers to prototype bioadhesive materials and device interfaces at the scale of cells and tissue structures. This capability supports skin-safe adhesion and stable imaging quality over extended periods.

The ultrasonic imaging system provides expanded probe control and supports customized imaging methods, higher-resolution image capture and integration with AI-based diagnostic models. Together, these tools enable faster design, prototyping and testing of the wearable ultrasound system, including imaging validation on phantoms and healthy subjects.

The research addresses the growing burden of chronic disease in ageing populations, where existing consumer wearables provide limited physiological data and conventional ultrasound systems remain bulky, operator-dependent and confined to hospital use. WITEC aims to bridge this gap by developing a wearable ultrasound system that uses bioadhesive technology to support prolonged imaging, combined with AI-assisted diagnostics for early detection and continuous monitoring.

Beyond patient care, the technology could reduce pressure on healthcare manpower and hospital resources by shifting routine monitoring to homes and communities. This approach is intended to support patient self-management, timely clinical intervention and lower long-term healthcare costs.

WITEC is led by co-lead principal investigators from MIT, NTU and NUS with expertise spanning mechanical engineering, materials science, biomedical engineering, data science, AI diagnostics and clinical medicine. The research roadmap includes foundational work in soft materials, ultrasonic transducers, microelectronics and clinical validation, with potential applications across healthcare technology, manufacturing and AI-driven health analytics.

Clinical trials led by Tan Tock Seng Hospital are expected to begin in early 2026. Over the next three years, the team plans to develop a cart-based bioadhesive ultrasound system for continuous, real-time monitoring and personalized diagnosis, followed by a fully integrated portable platform capable of 48-hour intermittent imaging.

As MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, SMART said WITEC builds on its ongoing efforts to advance technologies addressing global challenges, adding wearable medical imaging to its portfolio of research in healthcare, AI and advanced sensing technologies.

by Dr Jolene See Su Chen, Consultant General Physician (Internal Medicine), Wellness Centre, Sunway Medical Centre

Hypertension: the “silent” killer among us

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic condition where the blood force against artery walls is consistently high. Known as the “silent killer,” it often has few or no symptoms, making regular monitoring essential. Hypertension is defined as persistent elevation of blood pressure at or above 140/90mmHg, confirmed by measurements taken on at least two to three separate occasions. However, blood pressure readings in the range of 130-139mmHg systolic and 85-89mmHg diastolic are already considered “at-risk”. People with blood pressure within this range should monitor their blood pressure closely and make lifestyle changes to help lower their blood pressure.

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, hypertension affects 29.2% or nearly one in three adults in Malaysia. Of this figure, 11.9% do not actually know that they have hypertension and alarmingly, the highest proportion of those who are unaware falls within the age of 18-39, indicating a rising concern in younger populations.^[1] Despite these significant risks, many Malaysians remain oblivious to their hypertensive status, often due to the condition’s asymptomatic nature in its early stages.

A worrying trend among younger groups

The importance of regular health screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle cannot be stressed enough because hypertension, once developed, is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management and vigilance for a lifetime.

Hypertension in Malaysia has seen a steady increase, particularly among those under 40, with some patients even in their twenties. This shift is due to a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and dietary habits. Dr Jolene also highlights a prevalent myth that hypertension is only a concern for the elderly. This misconception is dangerous. Many younger people believe they are not at risk, leading to neglect and late diagnosis.

Subtle symptoms, serious complications

There is often no sign or symptom in hypertension, making regular screenings essential. When symptoms do occur, hypertension may have already been present for some time. These symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain and nosebleeds^[2]. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications, including heart attack, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss^[3].

Hence, people should minimally get their blood pressure checked at least once a year as part of their annual health screening. Blood pressure should also be checked during clinic encounters when visiting the doctor for other health concerns. Those with a family history of hypertension or heart disease should monitor their blood pressure regularly at home. Early detection is key to managing the condition effectively.

Lifestyle and dietary habits: culprits behind the numbers

Many Malaysians consume diets high in salt and fat, and low in essential nutrients. Combined with a lack of physical activity and high-stress work environments, it’s a perfect storm for developing high blood pressure.

People are advised to control their daily sodium intake, keeping it below 2,000mg a day, which is equivalent to approximately 1 teaspoonful a day. We can also learn more about Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which is designed to help prevent or treat hypertension and may also help lower LDL cholesterol linked to heart disease. The DASH diet focuses on increasing intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins (from lean meat, poultry or fish). It is also important to choose foods that are low in saturated and trans fat, which are commonly found in processed food.

Managing hypertension: lifestyle changes and medication

Managing and preventing hypertension involves proactive steps. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, reducing salt and alcohol intake, not smoking, keeping active with regular exercises and maintaining a healthy weight are key preventive measures.

There are also a few  general guidelines for maintaining a healthy weight, which are^[4]:

. Body Mass Index (BMI): Aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 22.9, based on the Malaysia CPG Management of Obesity 2023

. Waist Circumference: Men should aim for a waist circumference of less than 90cm and women less than 80cm, based on the Malaysia CPG Management of Obesity 2023

. Weight Loss: Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% of your current weight can significantly improve blood pressure and overall health.

The importance of complying with prescribed treatments for hypertension lies in advising newly diagnosed patients to take their condition seriously, make necessary lifestyle changes, and follow their doctor’s advice without independently adjusting medication dosages.

Be aware of this common myth that taking long-term medication might harm their kidneys and lead to kidney failure. This mindset is “dangerous”, as all medications are scientifically tested and prescribed at safe dosages under the supervision of the patients’ doctor. In contrast, untreated hypertension can severely damage blood vessels supplying the kidneys, leading to kidney failure and damaging other vital organs, much more quickly and severely.

Regaining your quality of life

Prevention begins with awareness, knowledge, and action. Understanding the risks and making informed choices, such as adopting a healthy diet, reducing sodium intake, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle with regular exercises are key steps in preventing hypertension. Family and friends play a vital role by supporting those with hypertension, reminding them to take their medication, monitor blood pressure regularly, and encourage healthy habits. By understanding the dangers of hypertension and taking proactive steps, we can combat this growing health threat and safeguard the well-being of future generations.

^[1]https://iku.nih.gov.my/images/nhms2023/key-findings-nhms-2023.pdf

^[2]https://www.verywellhealth.com/symptoms-of-hypertension-1763965

^[3]https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868

^[4]https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/managing-weight-to-control-high-blood-pressure

Associate Professor Keisuke Kuwahara, a member of the research team, highlighted the importance of early intervention. The study surveyed 81,876 individuals aged 20 to 64 who underwent regular health checkups and were not on hypertension treatment during fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Follow-ups over nine years tracked the relationship between blood pressure and disease development.

Related: When Exercise Becomes a Risk to the Heart

Of the participants, 334 developed cerebral or cardiac vascular diseases. Among them, 55 had high normal BP (systolic 120-129 mmHg and diastolic below 80 mmHg), facing nearly double the risk compared to those with normal blood pressure (systolic below 120 mmHg and diastolic below 80 mmHg). The risk increased to 2.10 times in the elevated blood pressure group (systolic 130-139 mmHg and diastolic 80-89 mmHg) and escalated further in the hypertension groups, with risks ranging from 3.48 to 7.81 times higher.

Related: Millennials and Gen-Z at risk of heart disease

Japan has an estimated 43 million hypertension patients, according to the Japanese Society of Hypertension, with untreated hypertension leading to severe health issues like strokes, heart, and kidney diseases.

Source: www.japantimes.co.jp

The most recent development in world of health and medicine has been the acceptance that we will be living with COVID-19 into the longer term. Masks, social distancing, vaccine passports and travel restrictions will now bean inseparable part of our daily dealings. While most of these initiatives serve the common purpose of safeguarding people and curbing spread of the infectious disease, there are simple and small measures around our diet and lifestyle that can help support the immune system.

Since most of this information is available to public on various government websites, the concern is not really about lack of awareness. Research has shown that most nutritional and health initiatives are not adopted in individuals due to lack of habit formation. For adults who have spent a larger part of their lives with lesser focus on nutrition or a healthy diet, this time might pose many challenges. Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) have been looked up to for the most credible advice on nutrition – something which was also reflected in a Nutrition Myth Survey conducted by Herbalife Nutrition in 2020. And therefore, we HCPs must do more to help consumers in this journey of achieving a healthy immune system and lifestyle.

Here are a few tips that can help you create an “immunity toolkit” for patients and consumers:

1. Advise less added salt and sugar

Sugar is the known culprit for impacting innate immunity of one’s body, and recent evidence has linked high dietary sodium intake to sodium toxicity which is associated with comorbid conditions of COVID-19 such as hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, pneumonia, obesity, diabetes, and a few others.

The severity of these complications is well known to the health care community. However, the emphasis may not be as well understood by consumers. Therefore, encourage your patients and consumers to reduce their intake of added salt and sugar, particularly from highly processed foods that are often the primary sources of sodium and sugar.

• The Dos don’t come without a habit

WHO recommends individuals to eat four servings of fruits, five servings of vegetables, 180 g of grains, and 160 g of meat and beans, in their daily diet. Now, for individuals who have not been following any regime for their diet, this might come as a severely complicated process to follow. More so, in absence of a habit, this might fizz out too soon.

Meal plans are often underrated but very useful when it comes to forming habits. The beauty of a meal plan is in its flexibility, and the fact that it doesn’t feel like following a strict regime. As HCPs, we can help patients develop the right meal plans to suit different body needs and health conditions. In addition, various meal plan tools and apps exist to aid a faster and more effective adoption process.  Having a healthy meal pattern to follow is more likely to lead to better dietary habit formation, rather than a rigid, prescriptive diet.

• Talk about the“boosters”

Once the dos and the don’ts have been well addressed, share additional tips with your patients. We can encourage a diet of nutrient-dense foods, including plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, more whole grains than refined grains, lean proteins from both plant and animal sources, as well as healthy fats from nuts, seeds, seafood, avocado and seed oils. Examples of some specific nutrient-dense “superfoods” include tea, nus, spinach, berries and red beans.

Nutrition supplements can help, especially when there is a deficiency in the body which is going unnoticed. Many people do not meet the recommended intakes for several vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and D.  HCPs can recommend regular nutrition check-ups for those who lead very active lifestyle or suffer from impaired nutrient absorption. 

Regular physical activity is imperative for a healthy body and it works in tandem with nutrition. In a recent review, it was noted that several micronutrients, including selenium, zInc and vitamins A and D as well as nutraceuticals and probiotics may be beneficial in enhancing immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With this toolkit, you can follow the progress of your patients, making sure they are engaged, forming healthy habits and being conscious about what they are consuming. Consumer education about nutrition and healthy living is more important than ever, and it’s become a driving agenda and responsibility for many in the HCP community.

Read also: Study: immunity post-Covid-19 infection lasts up to 8 months

A team the University of Virginia School of Medicine, a part of UVA Health Systems (UVA Health) have finally detected the location of cellular sensors that detect and respond to subtle changes in blood pressure – the natural barometers, or “baroreceptors,” exist in specialised kidney cells called renin cells; they are responsible for the release of blood pressure hormones that prevent high or low blood pressure (hypertension vs. hypotension).

Scientists have long suspected that renin cells are behind blood pressure control, but no one has been able to locate the baroreceptors until now.

Read also: Inter-arm differences in blood pressure increases cardiovascular disease risk

After much research, UVA Health’s Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Research Center, says that “the elusive pressure-sensing mechanism, the baroreceptor, is [indeed] intrinsic to the renin cell.”

Sequeira-Lopez explained that renin cells contain mechanotransducer-type baroreceptors that would detect pressure changes outside the cell, and transmit the mechanical signals to the cell nucleus, much like how the cochlea in our ear turns sound vibrations into nerve impulses our brain can understand. Changes within renin cells are ultimately influenced by activity of the renin gene, Ren1.

Using this, Sequeira-Lopez and her team compared differences in gene activity in kidneys exposed to lower pressure and those exposed to higher pressure. They found that when the baroreceptors detected too much pressure outside the renin cell, production of renin is restricted; while blood pressure that is too low prompts the production of more renin – this enables the body to maintain the correct blood pressure.

“I feel really excited about this discovery, a real tour de force several years in the making, and with the work to come, to unravel the signaling and controlling mechanisms of this mechanotransducer and how we can use the information to develop therapies for hypertension.”

Older adults taking blood pressure-lowering medicines for hypertension that cross the blood-brain barrier were noticed to have better memory recall compared to those taking medicines that do not, according to researchers from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The medicines include angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers and diuretics which are different classes of blood pressure-lowering medicines. Some cross the blood-brain barrier and will potentially impact cognitive function, such as reducing the risk of dementia.

In the first meta-analysis from 14 studies of nearly 13,000 adults ages 50 years and older, the hypertension medicines were evaluated for their effects on several cognitive domains, including attention, language, verbal memory, learning and recall. Older adults on the medications that cross the blood-brain barrier had better memory recall and attention for up to 3 years of follow-up, the meta-analysis found.

“These findings represent the most powerful evidence to-date linking brain-penetrant ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers to better memory. It suggests that people who are being treated for hypertension may be protected from cognitive decline if they [do] take medications that cross the blood-brain barrier,” said Dr. Jean K. Ho, a postdoctoral fellow at the university.

Read also: Experimental drug reverses memory loss in mouse models of Alzheimer’s

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a known risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. The current American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines for treating high blood pressure suggest changes to diet and activity levels to lower blood pressure and adding blood pressure-lowering medication for people with levels of 130/80 mm Hg or higher depending on their risk status – but if blood pressure reaches 140/90 mm Hg, blood pressure-lowering medication is recommended.

[Treatment with blood pressure-lowering medicines has been shown to reduce the cases of mild cognitive impairment in the extensive Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention (SPRINT) Trial, by at least 19%.]

“Hypertension occurs decades prior to the onset of dementia symptoms, affecting blood flow not only in the body but also to the brain,” said Dr. Daniel A. Nation, an associate professor of psychological science in the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, UCI. “Treating hypertension is likely to have long-term beneficial effects on brain health and cognitive function later.”

The most widely prescribed drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, metformin, also displays anti-cancer properties aside from its blood sugar lowering effect. However, the usual therapeutic dose is too low to effectively combat cancer.

But the research team, led by Professor Michael Hall, discovered that the antihypertensive drug syrosingopine increases the anti-cancer efficacy of metformin. Apparently, this drug combination drives cancer cells to programmed “suicide”.

At higher doses, the antidiabetic drug inhibits the growth of cancer cells but could also induce unwanted side effects. Therefore, the researchers screened over a thousand drugs for whether they can enhance the anticancer action of metformin.

A favorite emerged from this screening: syrosingopine, an antihypertensive drug. As the study shows, the cocktail of these two drugs is effective in a wide range of cancers.

According to the study’s first author, Don Benjamin, the drug combination was able to kill almost all tumor cells in samples collected from leukemia patients at doses that are actually not toxic to normal cells. The effect was also exclusively confined to cancer cells as the blood cells of healthy donors were insensitive to the treatment, he said.

In mice with malignant liver cancer, enlargement of the liver was reduced after the therapy. Also the number of tumor nodules was less and in some animals the tumors disappeared completely.

A glance at the molecular processes in the tumor cells explains the drug combination’s efficacy: metformin lowers not only the blood glucose level, but also blocks the respiratory chain in the energy factories of the cell, the mitochondria. The antihypertensive drug syrosingopine inhibits, among other things, the degradation of sugars.

Thus, the drugs interrupt the vital processes which provide energy for the cell. Due to their increased metabolic activity and rapid growth, cancer cells have a particularly high energy consumption, which makes them extremely vulnerable when the energy supply is reduced.

By testing a range of other compounds with the same mode of action, the scientists could demonstrate that the inhibition of the respiratory chain in the mitochondria is a key mechanism. These also reduced cancer cell growth in combination with the antihypertensive drug.

“We have been able to show that the two known drugs lead to more profound effects on cancer cell proliferation than each drug alone,” explains Benjamin. “The data from this study support the development of combination approaches for the treatment of cancer patients.”

This study may have implications for future clinical application of combination scenarios targeting the energy needs of tumor cells.

JAPAN –  Qualcomm Inc., through its Wireless Reach initiative has announced the provision of 200 sets of 3G enabled home blood pressure management systems to patients living in disaster areas of Iwate Prefecture with Medical Platform Asia.

These devices allow doctors to remotely monitor isolated patients living in temporary housing, provide them with timely treatment and prevent illnesses from becoming more serious.

Part of a larger effort led by Iwate Medical University, this project provides medical care for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. Patients living in outlying areas face distinct challenges when it comes to seeing specialists or receiving daily home visits from a doctor or nurse.

The chronic health problems these patients face are most often exacerbated by their living environment and stress related to the natural disaster. Iwate Medical University is continuing efforts to provide disaster victims with stable medical care by building a new remote care system for affected areas, such as Otsuchi cho and Rikuzentakata shi.

“We are fortunate to contribute to aid in the adoption and advancement of wireless medical and wellness services in the Japanese home market,” said Masanori Nishiyama, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors at Medical Platform Asia. “This project will provide close monitoring of a patient’s condition and, by utilizing 3G wireless technologies, a doctor can remotely provide feedback and make treatment recommendations on a regular basis.”

Research by Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach and Medical Platform Asia reveals that previous deployments of the in home monitoring technology increased patient awareness of the importance of blood pressure management by 50% and increased patients’ proactive engagement in treatment by 30%. Advanced care for patients facing chronic disease is particularly lacking in rural regions of Japan and gaining access to health care facilities can prove difficult. In response, the Japanese government has taken measures to narrow the gap in availability of medical resources between urban and rural areas with information and communications technology (ICT). This collaboration is an example of how both academic institutions and private companies are exploring the use of ICT to improve medical care.

“Qualcomm is proud to contribute assistance to victims of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake,” said Clifford Ficke, vice president and president of Qualcomm Japan. “The ability to receive timely care outside of a hospital extends the reach of physicians and has the potential to greatly improve the quality of care for patients.”

Azilva tablet is available in 20 mg and 40 mg.

There were four Phase III trials of AZILVA conducted in Japan for submission. One of the four Phase III trials was a multi-center, double-blind study with 636 patients of grade I and II hypertension to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AZILVA in comparison with Blopress® (generic name: candesartan cilexetil), another ARB discovered and marketed by Takeda in Japan.

The trial showed AZILVA was superior to Blopress with statistical significance in lowering the change from baseline in sitting diastolic blood pressure.

In addition, AZILVA was also superior to Blopress with statistical significance in lowering the mean diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure in 24 hours, daytime and night time as well as in the early morning time, measured by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM). AZILVA was safe and well tolerated, with the safety profile comparable to Blopress.

“According to the Japanese Society of Hypertension’s Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension (JSH 2009), there are about 40 million hypertensive patients in Japan, with about half of that number said to be not receiving satisfactory treatment,” said Masato Iwasaki, Senior Vice President, Pharmaceutical Marketing Division of Takeda.

“In the situation where strict management of blood pressure is required for these patients, we believe that AZILVA, having strong and persistent hypotensive effects, may offer a new therapeutic option,” he said.

Predicted FY2012 sale of AZILVA is ¥3.5 billion and has been included in the projected consolidated results for FY2012, which was disclosed on May 11, 2012.