Recent studies highlight the effects of combination therapy with ACE inhibitors and ARBs on kidney function decline and cardiovascular events. Additionally, genetic variants of the APOL1 gene are found to increase CKD progression in African Americans.
First responders at Ground Zero experienced significant kidney damage after exposure to particulate matter. The study found a linear trend between level of exposure and measures of poor kidney function.
Two clinical trials present new hope for treating patients with kidney disease: a phase 2 trial of ZS-9 shows significant reductions in blood potassium levels, while another trial of abatacept plus cyclophosphamide fails to improve renal response in lupus nephritis. Researchers explore these findings at Kidney Week 2013.
Studies suggest that consuming more fruits and vegetables can counteract the negative effects of dietary acid on kidney health. Research found that individuals with hypertensive nephropathy who received extra fruits and vegetables or an oral alkaline medication experienced preserved kidney health, while those with high dietary acid lev...
Two studies present findings that consuming at least two soft drinks per day may increase excretion of protein in the urine, a hallmark of kidney dysfunction. Moderate fructose intake also increases salt reabsorption by the kidneys, which could contribute to diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
A new study links preeclampsia during pregnancy to a higher risk of developing kidney failure. Researchers analyzed data from Olmsted County, MN and found that individuals with preeclampsia were more likely to develop kidney failure later in life, but this association was attenuated when diabetes and hypertension were considered.
A study of 264 kidney transplant recipients found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved patient outcomes, including lower risk of organ rejection and death. The research suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be crucial for optimal health in kidney transplant patients.
The global prevalence of kidney failure treatment is skyrocketing, with a 165% increase in dialysis treatments over the past two decades. Dialysis therapy has seen significant growth, particularly in countries with universal access, where adjusted prevalence increased by 134%.
Researchers developed a saliva test for diagnosing acute kidney injury, found Mediterranean diet linked to reduced risk of chronic kidney disease, and explored mindfulness meditation's benefits on blood pressure in patients with kidney disease. Initiating dialysis can cause significant burdens and loss of independence in elderly patients.
A randomized trial found that lowering salt intake reduces excess fluid volume, blood pressure, and protein excretion in the urine of people with CKD. This could lead to a 30% reduction in risk of progressing to end-stage kidney disease.
Bariatric surgery can help obese kidney disease patients lose weight, but it comes with a higher risk of complications and mortality. The study found that 61% of patients lost weight after surgery, but experienced 16 adverse events, including two deaths related to surgical complications.
A study of US nephrologists reveals that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) often do not receive sufficient follow-up care, despite being critically ill. The survey found that only one in five patients seen in clinics for AKI follow-up received reliable transition of care services after hospital discharge.
Levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in dialysis machine components have been found to be toxic to the immune cells circulating in kidney failure patients' blood. Researchers analyzed the effects of BPA on immune cells and found that alternative polymers for dialyzers' components may reduce BPA elution during dialysis.
A new study found that consuming more vegetable protein is associated with a 14% lower risk of death in kidney disease patients. The study, which analyzed data from 1,104 CKD patients, suggests that increasing vegetable protein intake may help prolong survival among those with chronic kidney disease.
A new study found that a patient's immune response may provide better insights into bacterial infections than conventional tests, leading to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The research identified unique 'immune fingerprints' associated with certain pathogens and predicted the nature of the infection.
Research suggests that many high-risk organs are safe and should not be labeled as such. After a median of 2.4 years, 86.5% of transplants from these donors were functioning without evidence of infections. The study challenges the CDC's current classification system.
A study suggests that paying living kidney donors $10,000 could increase the number of transplants by 5% or more, resulting in incremental cost savings and improved patient outcomes. This approach could also improve quality and quantity of life for patients with end-stage renal disease.
Kidney transplant recipients who discontinue immunosuppressive drugs before conception have a higher rate of live births and a lower rate of birth defects without an increased risk of kidney problems, according to research published by the American Society of Nephrology.
A study found that behavioral therapy provided chair-side to kidney failure patients during dialysis significantly reduces depression scores and improves quality of life. The treatment group experienced greater improvements in fluid intake between sessions, making subsequent treatments more efficient.
A study found that Hispanics are less likely to receive a kidney transplant, despite being equally likely to be placed on the waitlist as non-Hispanic whites. The disparity is largely attributed to differences in patient blood type and regional variability of organ supply.
A study finds that African Americans and individuals with less education are more likely to receive lower-quality kidneys, highlighting racial and social disparities in the allocation of transplanted organs. The findings suggest that addressing these inequalities is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that obesity increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease by suppressing an important cellular process called autophagy. Restoring this process may help protect kidney health in obese individuals.
A recent study examining the health of kidney donors has found that complications and hospital length-of-stay have declined since 1998. The researchers studied over 69,000 living kidney donors between 1998 and 2010, finding that rates of complications and length-of-stay for donors were comparable with other low-risk abdominal surgeries.
A genetic variant on chromosome 2 is strongly linked with kidney failure in diabetic women, but not in men. Diabetic women with the risk variant had a nearly two-fold increased risk of developing kidney failure compared to those without it.
Researchers have discovered a process defective in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a leading cause of kidney failure. Induced pluripotent stem cells from patients were reprogrammed to study human kidney disease mechanisms, revealing a potential therapeutic strategy by correcting a protein defect.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that African Americans with lower incomes have lower rates of living kidney donation compared to White Americans. However, among high-income African Americans, they actually have higher rates of donation. The findings highlight the importance of targeting soci...
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that individuals with type 2 diabetes and normal kidney function who have persistent albuminuria (protein in the urine) are at a greater risk for cognitive decline. The study, which followed 2977 diabetics over four to five years, showed that t...
A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that a structured exercise and lifestyle program can improve fitness, body composition, and heart function in patients with kidney disease. The program was safe for patients with multiple health issues, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
Researchers identified gene variants associated with an increased risk of kidney problems in lupus patients, which could lead to better treatments to protect kidney health. The study found that variants in the ABIN1 gene were linked to an increased risk of lupus nephritis, a common complication of the disease.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that nephrologists with a lower patient caseload tend to have better survival rates among dialysis patients. For every additional 50 patients cared for by a nephrologist, patients experienced a 2% higher risk of dying within six years.
Researchers found that a non-invasive ultrasound treatment can prevent acute kidney injury in mice by stimulating an anti-inflammatory response. The therapy, which uses sound waves to activate the immune system, showed promise as a potential prevention method for patients at risk of kidney damage after surgery.
A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) costs Medicare tens of billions of dollars each year. The study estimated that Medicare spending attributable to CKD stages 2 through 4 is likely to exceed $48 billion per year, with costs ranging from $1700 to $12,700 per person per year.
A study found that more frequent and longer patient-doctor contact in dialysis care is linked to better health outcomes for patients. Facilities with higher frequency and duration of contact had significantly lower mortality rates and fewer hospitalizations compared to those with intermediate or infrequent contact.
A strong association was found between worse kidney function and medication-resistant hypertension in individuals with moderate chronic kidney disease. Black patients and those with a larger waist circumference, diabetes, and a history of heart attacks or strokes were more likely to have resistant hypertension.
A new drug called Bendavia has been shown to prevent acute kidney injury (AKI) in animal models and is currently being studied for kidney disease. By protecting the unique fatty compound cardiolipin, Bendavia helps preserve mitochondrial structure and function, leading to accelerated ATP recovery and reduced cell death.
A study analyzing data from 1000 black and white patients with kidney disease found that black patients experienced a faster progression to kidney failure. The disparity was predominantly present in patients with diabetes and those who excreted greater amounts of protein, indicating more advanced kidney dysfunction.
A study found that elderly patients with kidney failure who use catheters have a high risk of death, while those using arteriovenous fistulas or grafts in their late 60s and 70s experience improved survival rates. However, for those over 80 years old, placing a graft may be a reasonable alternative to a fistula.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that administering large doses of intravenous iron over a short period increases dialysis patients' risk of developing serious infections. In contrast, smaller doses given less frequently do not increase infection risk.
A study found that individuals with chronic kidney disease who have a heart-healthy lifestyle are less likely to develop kidney failure. Those with four ideal factors for life's simple 7 tool had nearly half their risk cut, while those with five ideal factors didn't develop kidney failure.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that LDL cholesterol is not a reliable indicator of heart disease risk in patients with kidney disease. Patients with very low kidney function were more likely to have a heart attack, regardless of their LDL levels.
A study has found that slower walking speed is associated with increased mortality risk in kidney disease patients. The research suggests that lower extremity physical performance tests may help identify those at higher risk of premature death.
A study found that a phosphate-binding drug did not reduce cardiovascular measures in patients with early chronic kidney disease, suggesting dietary restriction may be the best way to mitigate phosphate's negative effects on the heart. Higher blood phosphate levels increase the risk of dying from heart-related causes.
A study found that racial disparities in end-of-life care among US adults with kidney failure are substantial and vary by region. Black patients are less likely to discontinue dialysis and be referred to hospice compared to white patients, especially in high-end life spending regions.
People with apple-shaped bodies are more likely to develop kidney disease due to lower kidney function, lower kidney blood flow, and higher blood pressure within the kidneys. Treatments that reduce kidney blood pressure may be beneficial for these individuals.
Research suggests that individuals with an apple-shaped body distribution may experience lower kidney function and higher blood pressure within the kidneys, increasing their risk of developing kidney disease. Treatments that reduce kidney blood pressure could be beneficial for these individuals.
A study found significant racial disparities in end-of-life care among US adults with kidney failure, with black patients less likely to be referred to hospice and discontinue dialysis compared to white patients. The differences were most pronounced in regions with the highest levels of end-of-life spending.
A study found that growth hormone therapy can help reverse growth problems in children with kidney failure by increasing bone turnover. However, treatment may not benefit overall bone health and may interrupt the relationship between bone turnover and parathyroid hormone markers.
Individuals who are overweight starting in early adulthood are twice as likely to have chronic kidney disease at age 60 to 64 years. Larger waist-to-hip ratios during middle age are also linked with chronic kidney disease at the same age. Avoiding excess weight gain could prevent many cases of chronic kidney disease, with over one-thir...
A study found that low vitamin D levels at three months post-transplantation were associated with lower kidney function and increased scarring at one year. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with kidney failure. Maintaining normal vitamin D levels may prevent renal function deterioration after transplantation.
A study of 1.2 million dialysis patients found Hispanics lived the longest, followed by Blacks, with Whites having the shortest survival time. The disparity may be due to differences in health status before kidney failure.