MANOS Participant

Thank you very much for participating in the MesoAmerican Nephropathy Occupational Study, which as you know, we call MANOS for short. We are very grateful for your collaboration in our goal to understand what factors could make someone more likely than others to develop Chronic Kidney Disease. Without you, we would not be able to continue our work to understand the causes of the disease.

About the study: As you know, the principal goal of MANOS is to try to discover the cause of the renal insufficiency that is affecting your communities. MANOS is primarily studying the exposures at work that could make someone more likely to develop the disease, such as heat, heavy metals, and an herbicide called glyphosate. The study was designed to first measure exposures at the workplace and then collect additional data every 6 months over 2 and a half years. 

Study Updates and Findings: We have finished data collection for the MANOS study. 

Currently, we are working on analyzing all of the data and samples we have collected. The laboratories we work with are measuring possible exposures, such as pesticides, glyphosate, and heavy metals in our samples. Our team in Boston University is looking at the data from the CorTemp pills, accelerometer and heart rate bands to look at heat stress and exertion. 

When we looked at kidney function, we found that roughly 1 in 10 individuals had low kidney function at both the first and the second round of the study. Individuals who were working in multiple jobs, not just in sugarcane, but rather also in other agriculture and non-agriculture jobs had low kidney function at both rounds. We have been in touch with those who had low kidney function to explain these results and what can be done. If you ever have any questions about your kidney health, please feel free to contact the MANOS study leaders.

Learn more: If you are ever interested in learning more about the study or have questions about your kidney health, feel free to reach out to the study leader in your country. We welcome your feedback about your experience participating in MANOS. If you would like to participate in future studies, please feel free to ask your study leader if there are additional studies in which you may be qualified to participate. 

MANOS leader Nicaragua: Dr. Juan Jose Amador

MANOS leader El Salvador: Dr. Emmanuel Ricardo Jarquin