New research finds that hemoglobin A1c test underestimates true glucose control in hemodialysis patients, potentially leading to inadequate treatment and poor outcomes. The study suggests the use of a newer test, glycated albumin, as a more accurate measure of blood sugar control for diabetic dialysis patients.
A new study by American Society of Nephrology confirms that intensive insulin therapy (IIT) protects kidneys in critically ill patients, reducing the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and death. IIT was found to be more effective in preventing AKI after surgery compared to medical ICU patients.
A study by Dr. Dorry L. Segev and colleagues found that severe obesity is associated with a lower chance of receiving a kidney transplant, even after adjusting for medical factors. Obese patients tend to wait longer and are more likely to be bypassed when a kidney becomes available.
Chronic kidney disease significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. Pioglitazone has been shown to lower this risk, particularly among those with moderate to severe renal disease. The study found that pioglitazone reduced all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke by one-third.
University of Florida researchers propose using a fructose index to gauge how healthy foods are; starch-based foods like potatoes and rice may be relatively safe compared to sugar-based foods. Dieters should limit fructose intake, as excessive consumption can cause obesity and metabolic syndrome.
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggests that persistently low hemoglobin levels in dialysis patients increase their risk of death, while fluctuating levels do not. The research used data from nearly 160,000 patients to analyze the effects of hemoglobin variability on mortality rates.
Researchers developed a new indicator, Hb-Var, measuring hemoglobin level stability in dialysis patients, finding it strongly predicts mortality risk. Higher Hb-Var scores associated with increased death rates, even after adjusting for absolute hemoglobin levels and trends.
A study found that black patients living in poorer neighborhoods were less likely to be placed on transplant waiting lists than white patients. Community poverty was a significant factor, rather than distance from transplant centers.
Recent studies have linked widely used osteoporosis drugs and bowel prep solutions to kidney damage. Nephrologists must be aware of these emerging causes of kidney problems and take steps to prevent them.
A recent study found that expanded criteria non-beating-heart kidney transplants from ECD donors are not suitable for elderly patients with ESRD. The risk of graft loss and death was significantly higher in these patients compared to brain-dead SCD donors.
Researchers found that routine mammograms for breast cancer screening in older women on dialysis are unlikely to outweigh the costs, given their reduced life expectancy. The study suggests that breast cancer screening may not provide significant benefits for this population.
Researchers predict a sharp increase in the US ESRD population by 2020, with over 785,000 patients expected to be affected. The study attributes this growth to the aging of Baby Boomers and rising diabetes rates.
A large-scale study has found no significant increase in cardiovascular risk for living kidney donors, but higher rates of high blood pressure were detected. The study analyzed data from 1,278 patients and compared them to 6,369 healthy adults.
Renal experts will discuss link between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CVD, consequences of acute kidney injury, racial disparities in kidney disease outcomes, and treatment of anemia in kidney patients. The ASN's Public Policy News Briefing aims to improve health outcomes by highlighting significant research impacting public health.
A study found that a structured quality improvement program called RightStart improved outcomes for new dialysis patients, including significant reductions in mortality and hospitalization rates. The program, which included education, close medical follow-up, and self-empowerment, was associated with better nutrition, less anemia, and ...
A study found HIV-infected African Americans are at a higher risk of developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) than white patients with HIV, with rates similar to those with diabetes
A new Research Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology will be established at the Medical College of Wisconsin to accelerate treatments for children with genetic and acquired kidney disease. The center aims to develop unique therapies that can limit or cure progressive kidney disorders.
Recent progress in preventing and treating end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the US is cause for cautious optimism, with improvements in survival expectations and increased use of fistulas for hemodialysis. However, skyrocketing costs are a major concern, with Medicare costs reaching $20.1 billion in 2004.
A study found that obesity is associated with higher levels of parathyroid hormone in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Weight loss may help lower PTH levels, while other treatments could lead to weight loss. The association was strongest in patients with signs of malnutrition and inflammation.
The Indiana University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $6 million grant to continue developing advanced light microscopy systems for kidney research. The center will incorporate four core projects, including the development of quantitative analysis tools and techniques to image deeper tissues.
Researchers have discovered that combining two blood pressure-lowering drugs with enzyme replacement therapy can slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with severe Fabry disease. The study found significant reductions in proteinuria and minimal decline in kidney function after an average of two and a half years' treatment.
A study reveals that hemoglobin levels vary among dialysis patients due to negative feedback control systems and individual sensitivity to ESA treatment. The analysis suggests optimizing treatment systems on a rational basis to reduce variation in hemoglobin values and stabilize dose regimens.
The American Society of Nephrology reviews disaster response plans to ensure dialysis services are protected for patients with end-stage renal failure. The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition outlines recommendations for establishing a timeline to safety and creating individualized disaster plans.
As dialysis care becomes more cost-controlled, nephrologists play a crucial role in maintaining the unique relationship between patients and kidney specialists. The ASN urges a renewed focus on this relationship to ensure high-quality patient care.
Researchers found that early treatment with ACE inhibitors can preserve kidney function and reduce the risk of irreversible damage in young patients with early-stage IgA nephropathy. The study suggests that starting treatment early may limit the need for renal replacement therapy.
Pierre Ronco received the ISN Jean Hamburger Award for his groundbreaking work in clinical and translational nephrology, particularly in glomerular disease. Rashad Barsoum was awarded the Roscoe R. Robinson Award for his tireless efforts to educate nephrologists globally and advance the field of nephrology.
Richard Lifton was honored with the prestigious Alfred Newton Richards Award at the WCN 2007, recognized for his outstanding basic research in nephrology. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of renal and cardiovascular disease.
Eduardo Slatopolsky has been recognized for his pioneering experimental research in mineral metabolism, leading to improved treatment of patients with renal failure worldwide. He was awarded the ISN Amgen International Prize for Therapeutic Advancement in Nephrology in 2007.
A research team has identified a protective gene variant that may help prevent severe kidney failure in people with diabetes. The discovery could lead to novel treatment approaches for susceptible individuals, as well as a new marker for identifying those at increased risk of future kidney disease.
Long-term Fosrenol treatment improves bone formation and reduces phosphorus levels in CKD stage 5 patients, according to a two-year study. The reformulated tablets also demonstrate efficacy as monotherapy for controlling serum phosphorus levels.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered an enzyme called ACE2 that may hold the potential to treat diabetic kidney disease. Studies suggest that increasing ACE2 levels in the kidneys could reverse or prevent kidney disease from developing.
A study led by Rutgers College of Nursing faculty members will investigate the association between the nursing work environment and nurse-reported patient outcomes. The survey aims to gather data from 2,000 registered nurses practicing in dialysis centers across the US, focusing on adverse events and burnout.
Researchers will follow over 540 children with mild to moderate kidney disease for four years, collecting blood, urine, and genetic samples. The study seeks to refine an existing method to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a precise indicator of kidney function.
A study by the University of Alberta and other institutions found that living kidney donors incur various costs, including travel and accommodation expenses, lost income, and physical limitations after surgery. These costs can range from $837 to $28,900 per donor and may lead to financial burdens and disincentives for potential donors.
A new diagnostic test using NGAL protein has been shown to predict kidney transplant outcomes, with lower values indicating faster recovery and higher values indicating longer recovery periods. This breakthrough could lead to improved patient care and reduced risk of kidney failure.
A large-scale phase IV trial found FOSRENOL significantly reduced daily tablet burden and improved patient satisfaction, while maintaining mean serum phosphorus control. Higher initial doses of FOSRENOL more rapidly controlled hyperphosphatemia without increasing adverse events.
Individuals with type 2 diabetes have a heightened risk of developing uric-acid stones, likely due to their highly acidic urine. The study suggests that factors associated with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance account for the increased acidity.
A study by UF researchers reveals that diabetic patients' cells have difficulty repairing damaged blood vessels due to low nitric oxide levels. The team found a way to improve the cells' movement and repair ability using nitric oxide, opening up possibilities for new treatments.
Researchers have identified a key gene involved in Meckel-Gruber syndrome type 3 (MKS3), a rare form of polycystic kidney disease. The discovery provides a breakthrough in understanding the disorder and developing new therapies.
A team led by Dr. Rajabrata Sarkar identified the MMP2 gene as essential for growing new arteries when existing arteries are blocked. In mice, the specific DNA sequences of the MMP2 gene that are expressed during artery growth were also discovered, shedding light on the normal process of angiogenesis.
Researchers identify thrombospondin (TSP-1) as a potential target for preventing acute kidney failure. Studies in mice show that the protein causes irreversible kidney damage when blood flow is disrupted, but genetically engineered mice lacking TSP-1 are protected from damage.
Researchers found a significant negative correlation between urine albumin levels and adiponectin hormone in obese mice. In humans, low adiponectin levels were associated with albuminuria, an indicator of kidney disease.
Two studies by nephrologists at Texas Children's Hospital reveal that mild renal insufficiency is linked to poor outcomes in children with acute decompensated heart failure. Additionally, the research shows that hypertension in children is a silent disease that requires early screening and management.
Researchers found African-American men had significantly lower calcified plaque in coronary and carotid arteries. The study, which included 1,000 white participants and 180 black participants, used high-speed CT scans to measure plaque levels.
Researchers found that 22.8% of dialysis patients had other close family members with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis. The study suggests that primary care physicians should consider screening high-risk family members to slow the progression of kidney failure.
US kidney failure rates have stabilized over the past two decades, with diabetes and high blood pressure remaining leading causes. Despite progress, racial disparities persist, particularly among African Americans, who continue to experience higher rates of new cases.
Researchers developed an animal model to study obstructive nephropathy, a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children. This model has helped identify potential targets for drug development, offering hope for improved treatment options for affected children.
Researchers found that a decline in prostacyclin led to cardiac complications, including hypertension and heart scarring, in mice prone to high blood pressure. Aspirin may protect against this damage by blocking unrestrained thromboxane actions.
A large international study found that 6% of critically ill patients develop kidney failure, with 60% dying while hospitalized. Researchers also discovered that 86% of surviving patients do not require dialysis after discharge, providing a clue for treating acute renal failure.
A survey of over 115 parents found that 74% had heard of using cranberry for UTI prevention, but few discussed it with pediatricians. Cranberry products were used by 29% to treat or prevent UTIs, often without medical guidance.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found elevated levels of leptin may be the cause of cachexia, a common complication of CKD. Blocking the MC4-R pathway in the brain may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to combat this life-threatening complication.
A recent study of over 8,500 patients discovered that cardiovascular risk factors, particularly albuminuria, can affect renal function even in those without end-stage renal disease. The International Society of Nephrology advocates proactive albuminuria screening to detect renal impairment and cardiovascular risk.
Researchers have identified a biological pathway for a potent molecule, IL-10, that can delay rejection of transplanted organs by preventing blood-vessel deterioration. The study used rat models and found that a single muscular injection of IL-10 could provide long-term therapeutic effects.
Research reveals kidneys and other systemic tissues have distinct roles in controlling blood pressure, challenging the dominant view that kidneys play a central role. The findings suggest that maximal efficacy of hypertension drugs requires complete blockade of receptors in both kidney and outside of kidney.
Researchers have found a novel biomarker, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), that can detect kidney failure in children after cardiac surgery in as little as two hours. This early diagnosis enables timely administration of effective therapeutic measures to prevent further complications.
A new study published in The Lancet identified a biomarker NGAL that can detect kidney failure hours after cardiac surgery, offering hope for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The research found high concentrations of NGAL in urine and blood samples within two hours of surgery, indicating the presence of kidney failure.
Researchers found a link between high phosphorous levels and vascular calcification, leading to increased risk of cardiac problems. Treatment with an experimental medication alleviated skeletal weakening and decreased signs of vascular calcification in mice.
A recent study found that vitamin D injections can reduce mortality rates by up to 20% in dialysis patients. Currently, only half of kidney failure patients receive this treatment, highlighting the need for more aggressive treatment strategies.
A study of 6,658 children found obese patients had a five-year mortality rate double that of non-obese peers. Obese children often receive transplants at younger ages and experience more cardiovascular complications.
A 12-center study found that an immune-modulating therapy, IVIG, reduces high antibody levels and improves transplantation rates in highly sensitized patients. The study showed a significant benefit of IVIG over placebo, with transplant rates more than double for the treatment group.