China and clinical research in international nephrology

摘要

"China has the opportunity to lead the world not only in research quantity, but also in quality" Lancet has affirmed[1].There is no reason to exclude the possibility that the above authoritative prediction could be applied to the research in Nephrology.However, how to comply with this goal? Methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials have the ability to address relevant research questions on safety and efficacy of new interventions.Indispensable conditions for successful conduct of clinical trials rely on the two major principles on which Good Clinical Practice is based[2]: One is strict ethical rules to safeguard the rights and safety of patients and another is high level of validity and credibility of trial data.However, absence of formal training in research ethics and methodology for investigators, reduced time for research activities, lack of adequate infrastructures, bureaucratic limitations and poor financial resources still represent major barriers to the successful performance of high quality randomized controlled trials[3].