The rise and rise of randomized clinical evidence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a rising tide of chronic disease, including chronic kidney disease, but the current research literature provides little evidence to guide the practice of nephrology in resource-poor settings. In this issue of CKJ, Waziri & Bello present a trial of two formulations of intravenous iron for patients with anaemia of chronic kidney disease in Nigeria. This study typifies a growing body of work from researchers from low-middle income countries addressing the evidence gaps that they meet in their everyday practice. Collaboration with clinical trialists and health economists from the global renal research community is suggested as an important way to expand, at low cost, the randomized evidence-base in this region.