A decade of research has led to significant advances in treating lupus nephritis, with improved classification and new treatment regimens reducing side effects. New therapies targeting specific components of the immune system have also shown promise, including rituximab and ocrelizumab.
A new registry based on electronic health records could help physicians improve care for patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease. The registry, developed at the Cleveland Clinic, houses information on 57,276 CKD patients and has been validated as reliable for tracking disease progression.
Kidney failure affects nearly half a million US individuals, with 48% being 60 years or older. Elderly patients are now more likely to receive a kidney transplant due to increased access to organs from living and deceased donors, as well as improved survival rates while waiting.
A new study has found a strong association between low birth weight and poor growth rate in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The research, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, analyzed data from over 400 children with CKD and found that those born with lower birth weights were more likely ...
Dialysis patients with little social support are more likely to ignore doctors' orders, experience a poorer quality of life, and die prematurely. Strong social networks are important for maintaining dialysis patients' health.
A study found that measuring three biomarkers in a single blood sample can improve physicians' ability to identify patients at high risk of developing CKD. The biomarkers included homocysteine, aldosterone, and B-type natriuretic peptide.
Research highlights that kidney disease patients' blood pressure management needs are not one-size-fits-all, with age, race, and diabetes affecting mortality risk. The rate of kidney function decline also significantly impacts patient prognosis, suggesting a need for tailored strategies to protect kidney function.
Patients with higher muscle mass tend to live longer if they have kidney disease, according to a recent study. Researchers found that increased mid-arm muscle circumference was associated with improved mental health scores and longer survival rates.
A recent study found that South Asian kidney transplant recipients experience a significantly higher risk of heart problems post-transplant. The research identified ethnicity as a key risk factor for cardiovascular events in this population, highlighting the need for tailored care and registry categories.
Characteristics such as patient engagement, physician communication, and staff coordination contribute to higher dialysis center survival rates. Top-performing centers also report stronger interpersonal relationships and more resourceful dietitians.
Dialysis patients can reduce their risk of hospitalization by addressing depression and physical inactivity, and modifying blood access from catheters to arteriovenous access. A recent study found that converting to arteriovenous access reduced hospitalization risk by about 30%.
A study found that malnutrition and inflammation status are key to understanding the effects of high cholesterol on kidney disease patients. Patients with malnutrition and/or inflammation had an inverse relationship between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular events, unlike those without these conditions.
Two new studies reveal racial disparities in kidney disease among African Americans, including higher rates of kidney failure, premature death, and lower rates of living donor transplants. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing these disparities to improve health outcomes for this population.
A study found that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher serum phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of race. This suggests that limited access to healthy food choices contributes to the racial disparity in kidney disease progression.
A DASH-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urinary volume and citrate levels. The study suggests that a DASH-style diet could be an effective way to reduce the risk of kidney stone recurrence.
A study reveals that individuals with prior non-kidney organ transplants are more likely to be listed for a kidney transplant before dialysis initiation. This trend adds to the list of organ allocation challenges, as these patients have higher waitlist mortality rates and shorter lifespans compared to those with prior kidney transplants.
A study found that kidney transplants showing fibrosis and inflammation after one year are at increased risk of long-term transplant failure. Routine biopsies can help identify these abnormal signs and predict potential targets for early preventative treatment.
A study of 5037 European hemodialysis patients found that fluctuating hemoglobin levels do not increase the risk of mortality. Patients with consistently low hemoglobin levels had a higher risk of dying, however.
A study reveals that HIV-infected injection drug users are more likely to develop proteinuria, a marker of kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure. Clinicians should aggressively screen this population for proteinuria and consider them candidates for medical treatments that protect the heart and kidneys.
Patients with DVA/DoD insurance are more likely to undergo an arteriovenous fistula, a procedure that improves survival rates. The study highlights the need for improved kidney-related care for patients before they start dialysis.
Research shows that community poverty is linked to lower rates of arteriovenous fistula use among newly diagnosed dialysis patients in poorer communities. This suggests that targeted interventions are needed to improve pre-dialysis care for these patients.
Researchers discovered that patients with high levels of albuminuria have a significantly increased risk of developing acute kidney injury, highlighting the importance of monitoring kidney function. By recognizing these warning signs, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent preventable forms of acute kidney injury.
A study of 24,875 dialysis patients found that sustained extremes in blood sugar levels increased the risk of dying prematurely. Individualized hemoglobin A1c targets may be more appropriate than a one-size-fits-all approach for diabetic patients with kidney failure.
Researchers found that discontinuing epoetin was more effective than reducing dose in normalizing hemoglobin levels, but also increased risk of lower-than-recommended levels. Study results suggest a balance between administering epoetin and achieving target hemoglobin levels is necessary for kidney disease patients.
African Americans with hypertensive nephrosclerosis have a higher rate of developing end stage renal disease (ESRD) than dying prematurely, according to a new study. The study analyzed data from the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) trial and cohort phase, finding that ESRD rates exceeded mortality rates ...
A morning urine test is superior for detecting declining kidney performance in patients with diabetic kidney disease. The albumin:creatinine ratio from a first morning urine sample predicts worsening kidney problems more accurately than other methods.
A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that corticosteroid treatment can prevent or delay loss of kidney function in patients with IgA nephropathy. The addition of an immunosuppressant drug, such as azathioprine, did not provide additional benefits.
Researchers identified a previously unknown genetic location on chromosome 2p causing familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a common cause of kidney failure worldwide. The discovery may provide clues to disease mechanisms and lead to identification of specific and less toxic therapies.
A study found individuals with high resting heart rates and low beat-to-beat heart rate variability have a higher risk of developing kidney disease. The autonomic nervous system's behavior may be a sentinel marker for late-stage kidney disease.
A recent study found that the TMP-SMX antibiotic combination significantly increases the risk of severe hyperkalemia in older adults, a potentially deadly adverse drug reaction. The risk is five times higher in patients prescribed TMP-SMX compared to those taking amoxicillin.
A study by American Society of Nephrology suggests that consuming foods with high fructose levels can increase the risk of hypertension. Researchers analyzed data from over 4,500 US adults and found a significant association between fructose consumption and elevated blood pressure.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that dialysis patients taking digoxin had a 28% higher risk of death compared to those not taking the medication. The increased risk was greatest among patients with higher levels of digoxin in their blood.
Recent guidelines call for lower target blood pressure levels in CKD patients, but a critical review finds the data is not definitively supported by scientific evidence. The author suggests that doctors should make individualized decisions about blood pressure control for their patients with kidney disease.
A study found that patients living in predominantly black areas are less likely to receive pre-dialysis kidney care from a specialist, despite having declining kidney function. The researchers investigated the effect of residential area racial composition on access to and quality of kidney-related care before starting dialysis.
Researchers found a new complication of stem cell therapy: angiomyeloproliferative lesions at injection sites, which can lead to kidney failure and death. The study highlights the need for further research to determine the circumstances that cause these masses to form and strategies to avoid them.
A study found that bevacizumab increases the risk of severe urinary protein loss by more than four-fold in patients, highlighting the need for monitoring kidney health when prescribing this cancer drug. Patients with kidney cancer or receiving high doses of bevacizumab are at greatest risk.
A new study reveals that allopurinol treatment can slow the progression of kidney disease, decrease inflammation, and lower cardiovascular risk. The analysis suggests a potential benefit for chronic kidney disease patients, but further trials are needed to confirm these findings.
A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that growth hormone therapy improved growth and bone mineral density in infants with chronic kidney failure. Infants treated with growth hormone grew an average of 5.7 inches, while those without treatment grew only 3.7 inches.
The incidence of calcium-alkali syndrome is rising due to widespread use of over-the-counter calcium supplements. Limiting daily intake to 1.2-1.5 grams can prevent the condition.
A recent study suggests that N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is not a reliable biomarker for cardiac dysfunction in dialysis patients. Instead, high NT-pro-BNP levels are more closely associated with fluid overload and require adjustment of dry weight to prevent complications.
Researchers found that lowering salt intake is more effective than antihypertensive medications in controlling blood pressure for kidney patients. Achieving dry-weight through diet and dialysis prescription can also provide benefits to the heart.
A study analyzing 2,575 Dutch transplant candidates found that kidneys from donors after cardiac death provided a 56% higher chance of survival for patients. While the initial failure rate was higher, long-term benefits outweighed the risks, suggesting an expansion of available organs.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that a low kidney-to-recipient-weight ratio increases the risk of transplant failure, inadequate filtration, and other complications. The research suggests that matching kidney weight to recipient weight could improve transplantation success rates.
A study found that sirolimus halts cyst growth and increases healthy kidney structures in ADPKD patients. The treatment may provide a promising long-term option for patients with the genetic kidney disease.
Despite high rates of sexual dysfunction among CKD patients, little is known about effective treatments. The review found that drug treatment was helpful for male patients with erectile dysfunction but few studies evaluated safety and side effects in CKD patients.
Patients with hypertension who excrete slightly increased amounts of protein in the urine, known as microalbuminuria, have an elevated risk of developing heart and kidney problems. Microalbuminuria is associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular complications in non-diabetic patients with hypertension.
A randomized clinical trial found that Octreotide slowed the growth of cyst-filled livers in patients with polycystic liver disease (PLD) caused by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The treatment also improved kidney function and health perception in these patients.
A study finds that cancer risk in kidney transplant recipients is similar across different immunosuppressive medications, suggesting no single medication is to blame. Patient characteristics such as age and eye color are associated with increased cancer risk.
Patients with acute kidney injury admitted on weekends have a higher risk of dying compared to those admitted on weekdays. The disparity was most evident in smaller hospitals, where the risk of death was even greater.
The study found that 58.9% of kidney transplant candidates would accept a kidney from a donor at increased risk of viral infection under some conditions, while 17.7% always accepted them. Patients on dialysis and older patients more commonly accepted such kidneys.