Lela Tisdale

Clinical Research Coordinator

Lela Tisdale

Lela attended Adelphi University in Long Island, NY, where she majored in social science with a minor in psychology. She received certification for clinical research from the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York and certification from the National Institutes of Health in good clinical practice. Lela has a diverse background in clinical research, with over 10 years of experience working at research sites for pharmaceutical-sponsored studies. Her many duties include working with chief research officers and third-party vendors, along with managing, coordinating, and providing administrative oversight for the clinical research trials.

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Recent Articles by Lela Tisdale

  • Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology
    June 11, 2024
    Effects of individualized anemia therapy on hemoglobin stability: a randomized controlled pilot trial in hemodialysis patients
    Doris H Fuertinger, Lin-Chun Wang, David J Jörg, Lemuel Rivera Fuentes, Xiaoling Ye, Sabrina Casper, Hanjie Zhang, Ariella Mermelstein, Alhaji Cherif, Kevin Ho, Jochen G Raimann, Lela Tisdale, Peter Kotanko, Stephan Thijssen
    RESULTSThe intervention group showed an improved median percentage of hemoglobin measurements within target at 47% (interquartile range, 39–58), with a 10% point median difference between the two groups (95% confidence interval, 3 to 16; P = 0.008). The odds ratio of being within the hemoglobin target in the standard-of-care group compared with the group receiving the personalized ESA recommendations was 0.68 (95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 0.92). The variability of hemoglobin levels decreased in the intervention group, with the percentage of patients experiencing fluctuating hemoglobin levels being 45% versus 82% in the standard-of-care group. ESA usage was reduced by approximately 25% in the intervention group.KEY POINTSWe conducted a randomized controlled pilot trial in patients on hemodialysis using a physiology-based individualized anemia therapy assistance software. Patients in the group receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose recommendations from the novel software showed improvement in hemoglobin stability and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent utilization.CONCLUSIONSOur results demonstrated an improved hemoglobin target attainment and variability by using personalized ESA recommendations using the physiology-based anemia therapy assistance software.CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:NCT04360902.BACKGROUNDAnemia is common among patients on hemodialysis. Maintaining stable hemoglobin levels within predefined target levels can be challenging, particularly in patients with frequent hemoglobin fluctuations both above and below the desired targets. We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing our anemia therapy assistance software against a standard population-based anemia treatment protocol. We hypothesized that personalized dosing of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) improves hemoglobin target attainment.METHODSNinety-six patients undergoing hemodialysis and receiving methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta were randomized 1:1 to the intervention group (personalized ESA dose recommendations computed by the software) or the standard-of-care group for 26 weeks. The therapy assistance software combined a physiology-based mathematical model and a model predictive controller designed to stabilize hemoglobin levels within a tight target range (10–11 g/dl). The primary outcome measure was the percentage of hemoglobin measurements within the target. Secondary outcome measures included measures of hemoglobin variability and ESA utilization.
  • Frontiers in public health
    September 18, 2023
    Testing of worn face mask and saliva for SARS-CoV-2
    Xiaoling Wang, Ohnmar Thwin, Zahin Haq, Zijun Dong, Lela Tisdale, Lemuel Rivera Fuentes, Nadja Grobe, Peter Kotanko
    RESULTSMask and saliva testing specificities were 99% and 100%, respectively. Test sensitivity was 62% for masks, and 81% for saliva (p = 0.16). Median viral RNA shedding duration was 11 days and longer in immunocompromised versus non-immunocompromised patients (22 vs. 11 days, p = 0.06, log-rank test).CONCLUSIONWhile SARS-CoV-2 testing on worn masks appears to be less sensitive compared to saliva, it may be a preferred screening method for individuals who are mandated to wear masks yet averse to more invasive sampling. However, optimized RNA extraction methods and automated procedures are warranted to increase test sensitivity and scalability. We corroborated longer viral RNA shedding in immunocompromised patients.BACKGROUNDExhaled SARS-CoV-2 can be detected on face masks. We compared tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA on worn face masks and matched saliva samples.METHODSWe conducted this prospective, observational, case-control study between December 2021 and March 2022. Cases comprised 30 in-center hemodialysis patients with recent COVID-19 diagnosis. Controls comprised 13 hemodialysis patients and 25 clinic staff without COVID-19 during the study period and the past 2 months. Disposable 3-layer masks were collected after being worn for 4 hours together with concurrent saliva samples. ThermoFisher COVID-19 Combo Kit (A47814) was used for RT-PCR testing.
  • Blood purification
    March 31, 2021
    Effect of Statewide Lockdown in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Levels of Hemodialysis Patients
    Maggie Han, Priscila Preciado, Ohnmar Thwin, Xia Tao, Leticia M Tapia-Silva, Lemuel Rivera Fuentes, Mohamad Hakim, Amrish Patel, Lela Tisdale, Hanjie Zhang, Peter Kotanko
    RESULTS42 patients were included. Their mean age was 55 years, 79% were males, and 69% were African Americans. Between January 1 and February 13, 2020, patients took on average 5,963 (95% CI 4,909-7,017) steps/day. In the week prior to the mandated lockdown, when a national emergency was declared, and in the week of the shutdown, the average number of daily steps had decreased by 868 steps/day (95% CI 213-1,722) and 1,222 steps/day (95% CI 668-2300), respectively. Six patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period. Five of them exhibited significantly higher PAL in the 2 weeks prior to showing COVID-19 symptoms compared to COVID-19 negative patients.BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESOn March 22, 2020, a statewide stay-at-home order for nonessential tasks was implemented in New York State. We aimed to determine the impact of the lockdown on physical activity levels (PAL) in hemodialysis patients.CONCLUSIONLockdown measures were associated with a significant decrease in PAL in hemodialysis patients. Patients who contracted COVID-19 had higher PAL during the incubation period. Methods to increase PAL while allowing for social distancing should be explored and implemented.METHODSStarting in May 2018, we are conducting an observational study with a 1-year follow-up on PAL in patients from 4 hemodialysis clinics in New York City. Patients active in the study as of March 22, 2020, were included. PAL was defined by steps taken per day measured by a wrist-based monitoring device (Fitbit Charge 2). Average steps/day were calculated for January 1 to February 13, 2020, and then weekly from February 14 to June 30.
  • Kidney360
    December 1, 2020
    SARS-CoV-2 in Spent Dialysate from Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients with COVID-19
    Xiaoling Wang, Amrish Patel, Lela Tisdale, Zahin Haq, Xiaoling Ye, Rachel Lasky, Priscila Preciado, Xia Tao, Gabriela Ferreira Dias, Joshua E Chao, Mohamad Hakim, Maggie Han, Ohnmar Thwin, Jochen Raimann, Dinesh Chatoth, Peter Kotanko, Nadja Grobe
    RESULTSA total of 26 spent PD dialysate samples were collected from 11 patients from ten dialysis centers. Spent PD dialysate samples were collected, on average, 25±13 days (median, 20; range, 10-45) after the onset of symptoms. The temporal distance of PD effluent collection relative to the closest positive nasal-swab RT-PCR result was 15±11 days (median, 14; range, 1-41). All 26 PD effluent samples tested negative at three SARS-CoV-2 genomic regions.CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate the absence of SARS-CoV-2 in spent PD dialysate collected at ≥10 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. We cannot rule out the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in spent PD dialysate in the early stage of COVID-19.BACKGROUNDTo date, it is unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 is present in spent dialysate from patients with COVID-19 on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Our aim was to assess the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 in spent dialysate from patients on chronic PD who had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.METHODSSpent PD dialysate samples from patients on PD who were positive for COVID-19 were collected between March and August 2020. The multiplexed, real-time RT-PCR assay contained primer/probe sets specific to different SARS-CoV-2 genomic regions and to bacteriophage MS2 as an internal process control for nucleic acid extraction. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patients' electronic health records.

The staff here is truly a TEAM. They are so compassionate and dedicated to the care of kidney disease patients as well as for the care of the people who work there.

 Lela Tisdale
Clinical Research Coordinator