Researchers found that high-sensitivity troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels strongly predict heart failure in individuals with mild to severe kidney disease. These biomarkers may indicate subclinical cardiovascular changes, contributing to the development of heart failure.
Research findings suggest that aerobic activity improves the health-related quality of life and reduces depressive symptoms among hemodialysis patients. The study also found that dialysis facilities can promote physical activity levels by offering exercise programs, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Kidney transplant recipients infected with BK virus are more likely to develop donor-specific antibodies, which can lead to organ rejection. The study found a significant association between persistent BK infections and the development of these detrimental antibodies.
A randomized clinical trial found that cooling dialysis fluids to 0.5°C below body temperature protects against progressive white matter brain injury due to blood pressure instability. This simple intervention does not just improve patient comfort but completely prevents brain damage in patients undergoing dialysis.
A study finds that older adults, women, and less educated individuals have more concerns about kidney transplantation. These concerns can lead to lower chances of getting listed for a transplant. The study aims to address these barriers to improve access to transplantation.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that CKD patients who experience multiple heart failure hospitalizations are at a higher risk of developing kidney failure. The study's findings suggest that coordinated care between specialists is crucial in managing these patients.
A study of dialysis patients found that clinicians' reported discussions about transplantation did not increase patients' likelihood of being listed, despite patient-reported discussions being associated with a nearly 3-fold increased chance. The findings suggest the need for improved patient communication and informed consent.
Researchers found that calcium build-up in coronary artery walls is a more useful indicator of heart disease risk in patients with CKD than traditional measures of atherosclerosis. The study suggests that this finding could help safeguard the heart health of millions of people globally who have chronic kidney disease.
A recent study found that black women are less likely to want to receive kidney transplants from living donors, despite receiving more unsolicited offers from family and friends. Women were also less likely to be evaluated for a transplant, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to alleviate existing disparities.
A new nomogram tool uses 11 questions to accurately calculate the probability of developing another symptomatic kidney stone at various time points. The tool helps determine whether preventive measures are needed, and can help patients avoid burdensome dietary restrictions or medications.
A study found that depressive symptoms and pain in dialysis patients were associated with increased hospitalization rates, emergency department visits, and mortality. The findings suggest that treating these symptoms could improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs.
A medication called ferric citrate may reduce the need for dialysis patients to take multiple drugs that treat complications related to kidney disease. Ferric citrate binds phosphorus, increases iron stores, and decreases the need for iron and anemia medications, leading to fewer hospitalizations.
A genetic screening test can predict which children with one of the most common childhood kidney diseases will respond to standard therapies, guiding treatment and improving clinical outcomes. The test was found to be more predictive than a kidney biopsy in identifying non-responders to immunosuppressive treatments.
A study found that lower income populations have consistently had lower rates of living donation compared to higher income populations. The difference in living donation rates between lower and higher income populations has become larger over time, implying a need for more effective strategies to overcome financial barriers.
Using an expensive agent to prevent blood clots in kidney failure patients' dialysis catheters may reduce overall medical complications and lower healthcare costs. A recent clinical trial found that the increased cost of this medication was partially offset by lower costs for managing complications.
The ASN Foundation for Kidney Research has awarded $2.8 million in research grants to advance the understanding and treatment of kidney diseases. The grants support basic, translational, and clinical research to improve patient outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that risk factors for chronic kidney disease are present and identifiable 30 years before diagnosis. The researchers identified significant associations between obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes with future CKD development.
A study suggests that small changes to US kidney allocation policies can help alleviate geographic disparities in transplantation. Implementing local sharing strategies like the Statewide Sharing variance adopted by Tennessee and Florida has been shown to significantly reduce disparities, while other states saw increased disparities.
A study analyzing 563,281 hemodialysis patients found significant racial and ethnic differences in hospitalization rates. Younger black patients, older black patients, and older Hispanic patients had increased hospitalization rates compared to whites of similar ages, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A recent study found that young black adults with kidney failure living in poor neighborhoods are nearly twice as likely to die while still young compared to whites. The reasons for this difference are not well understood, but the researchers suggest that socioeconomic factors may play a role.
Individuals with poor kidney function have a higher risk of developing kidney and urothelial cancers, according to a recent study. The study found that those with lower estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) had a significant increase in cancer risk, particularly for renal cell carcinoma.
Research suggests that patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) who undergo a kidney transplant may be less likely to develop cancer compared to those without PKD. The study found that PKD patients were 16% less likely to develop cancer than others who received a kidney transplant, and their overall cancer risk was 48% lower than ...
A new study finds that kidney transplantation offers better treatment outcomes and increased survival rates compared to intensive home hemodialysis. However, patients on home dialysis still have good health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research.
A new kidney allocation policy is expected to improve patient and transplant survival rates, with median organ survival increasing by 2.8%, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The policy prioritizes highly sensitized patients while potentially reducing access for older candidates.
A study found that walking can significantly improve survival rates and reduce the need for dialysis among patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease. Patients who walked regularly were 33% less likely to die and 21% less likely to require dialysis compared to non-walkers.
A study found that more frequent face-to-face physician visits after hospital discharge can reduce kidney failure patient readmissions by 3.5%, resulting in significant cost savings. Nearly 400,000 people in the US are on dialysis, highlighting the importance of this intervention.
A recent study found that statin therapy lowers LDL cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke in patients with chronic kidney disease, but has no effect on kidney function or progression. The Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP) included 6,245 patients who received a placebo or cholesterol-lowering treatment w...
A study in Australia found that patients from more affluent areas were less likely to use home dialysis and more likely to use in-center hemodialysis. Rural areas had higher rates of peritoneal dialysis, while private hospitals rarely used home dialysis.
A study found that dialysis patients with higher muscle mass had better scores on a 6-minute walking test and improved physical and mental health. Higher body fat measures, such as waist circumference and intra-abdominal fat, were linked to poorer outcomes.
A study found that low birth weight and maternal conditions like diabetes and overweight/obesity are associated with an increased risk of childhood kidney disease. Researchers suggest that modifying these factors could help protect children's kidney health and reduce the incidence of CKD.
A study by Lynn Butler and colleagues found that cytomegalovirus infection inhibits erythropoietin production, leading to lower red blood cell counts. The researchers suggest targeting CMV as a potential treatment for anemia in patients with kidney disease.
Atrasentan has been shown to lower albuminuria by 36% without major side effects in patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. The drug also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, suggesting a potential benefit for patients at high risk of serious medical problems.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that moderate exercise, such as walking, can improve immune function and reduce inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease. Six months of regular walking was shown to decrease immune cell activation and markers of systemic inflammation.
A study found that poor quality of life in African Americans with chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risks of disease progression and heart problems. The research suggests that improving quality of life may help protect patients' health, highlighting the need for better management of kidney disease-related health issues.
A recent study found that individuals with diabetes who experience major depressive symptoms are at a significantly higher risk of developing kidney failure. In contrast, minor depressive symptoms were not found to have a significant association with kidney disease development.
A receptor called B7-1 is expressed by kidney cells during the progression of diabetic nephropathy, and targeting this receptor with abatacept helps to maintain kidney function in mice. The study suggests that clinical trials should be designed to test abatacept in diabetic patients.
Researchers discovered that stem cells from a fatty fold of tissue, called the omentum, can help heal diseased kidneys when fused to the organs. This innovative approach uses the patient's own stem cells to treat chronic kidney disease, potentially alleviating the need for external cell sources.
A new study suggests that Medicaid expansion among low-income nonelderly adults can help prevent kidney failure and improve access to kidney disease care. States with broader Medicaid coverage have lower incidences of kidney failure and smaller insurance-related gaps in access to kidney disease care.
The American Society of Nephrology warns that dwindling medical research funding is hindering progress in kidney disease and other medical studies. With 20 million Americans affected by chronic kidney disease, the need for continued clinical advances is pressing.
A new noninvasive urine test can distinguish among different causes of acute kidney dysfunction in transplant recipients. The test measures messenger RNAs related to disease processes and may allow patients to avoid invasive kidney biopsies.
Studies found that biopsied kidney injuries were modestly associated with delay in organ function, but only for donor kidneys already at high risk. However, there was a large degree of overlap between discarded and transplanted kidneys, suggesting low-quality biopsies may be used to make acceptance decisions.
A study of 267 CKD patients found that 69.3% experienced at least one hazardous event related to their outpatient care, with hypoglycemia and falling/severe dizziness being common complications.
A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that intensive dialysis treatments in pregnant women with kidney failure lead to higher live birth rates, with fewer complications. Infants born to these mothers tend to be healthier at birth when their mothers receive more frequent and longer dialysis sessions.
A study by American Society of Nephrology reveals domoic acid, a neurotoxin found in seafood, can harm kidneys even at levels considered safe for consumption. The toxin damages kidneys at concentrations 100 times lower than what causes neurological effects, raising concerns about potential kidney failure and dialysis.
Patients who experience acute kidney injury following surgery have a higher risk of developing heart problems, including coronary events and mortality. The study found that properly treating AKI can help protect heart health.
A single dose of rituximab significantly reduces kidney relapses in children and young adults with frequently-replapsing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, allowing for discontinuation of standard immunosuppressive medications. The treatment is also well-tolerated and improves kidney function.
Studies found that African-American hemodialysis patients with sickle cell trait received about 13% more anemia medications than those without the trait to achieve the same level of hemoglobin. The presence of sickle cell trait was also more common among dialysis patients, affecting approximately 10% of study participants.
A new study reveals substantial geographic variation in waiting times for children needing kidney transplants, with local organ supply and demand affecting outcomes. The findings suggest that a broader geographic sharing of kidneys is necessary to address these disparities.
Researchers have found that certain cells contribute to kidney function decline by causing destructive scarring, making them attractive targets for treatments. An additional but limited reserve of mature and functional filter cells is present at birth, which can be preserved and protected through pharmacological strategies.
A single low dose of lithium helped restore kidney function in mice with acute kidney injury, suggesting a potential therapeutic application for the mood stabilizer. Acute kidney injury is a serious complication affecting hospitalized patients, with limited treatment options.