The American Society of Nephrology and KidneyCure support a diverse group of researchers advancing kidney disease knowledge. Investigators funded by KidneyCure are making significant contributions in areas impacting millions of people living with kidney diseases.
Patients waiting for a kidney transplant who experienced various symptoms had a higher risk of dying while on the waitlist. However, those who underwent transplantation saw an improvement in symptoms, with overall 10% reduction and significant declines in fatigue and itchy skin.
A new study highlights the high risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular complications in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome, particularly those with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Adults with this condition are 19.63 times more likely to develop kidney failure over a median follow-up period of 4.5 years.
A new study reveals that many patients with high-priority kidney transplants are not being placed on the transplant waiting list, despite having long expected post-transplant survival. African Americans, uninsured individuals, and those living in lower-income communities face significant barriers to expedited waitlist placement.
Researchers found that COVID-19 virus can enter and replicate in human kidney cells, but does not typically cause cell death. However, infected cells with pre-existing injury are more susceptible to additional damage.
A new study examines COVID-19 among patients receiving home dialysis, finding that these patients are equally vulnerable to infection as in-center dialysis patients. The study also highlights the devastating mortality rate among home dialysis patients, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and public health precautions.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 vaccination leads to strong T cell responses against the virus in all patients on dialysis, and nearly 58% of kidney transplant recipients. However, low antibody responses were observed in kidney transplant recipients, raising concerns about their protection from COVID-19.
A study found substantial racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 rates among adults with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis in New York City. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19, with neighborhood social vulnerability factors not explaining the disparities.
Researchers found COVID-19 risks higher in older, diabetic patients with higher community rates and larger clinics. Risks were lower in clinics with more side rooms and mask policies for asymptomatic patients.
A study of 4,763 individuals found that those with frequent depressive symptoms were more likely to experience rapid kidney function decline over a median follow-up period of 4 years. The study suggests that high depressive symptoms may be an important modifiable risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
Patients at for-profit dialysis facilities are less likely to be referred for kidney transplantation compared to those at non-profit facilities. Rates of starting medical evaluations and placing patients on a waitlist after evaluations were similar between the groups.
Eliminating race-based adjustments in equations to estimate kidney function may lead to significant changes in medication prescribing practices for Black adults, according to a new study. The findings suggest that this change could result in lower eGFR values and potentially impact treatment outcomes for diabetic patients.
A nationwide survey of US patients on dialysis found that 20% were hesitant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, with rates higher among certain groups. The study highlights the need for targeted outreach efforts to address concerns about vaccine safety and side effects.
A pharmacist-led smartphone app has been shown to significantly improve medication safety and reduce hospitalizations in kidney transplant recipients. The study found that participants who used the app were 61% less likely to experience medication errors and 45% less likely to experience serious side effects.
A pilot trial found that the 'Sit Less, Interact, Move More' intervention decreased sedentary time, increased stepping time, and boosted step counts in patients with moderate-to-advanced CKD. However, these benefits were not sustained over 20 weeks. The study suggests that additional interventions may be needed to sustain long-term eff...
A new study estimates the years of employment loss experienced by working-aged adults with kidney failure, finding that most lost time is due to patients' loss of life expectancy. The study analyzed data from patients initiating dialysis in Taiwan and found that men had a higher rate of employment than women.
The ASN and NKF publish an interim report assessing alternative methods to diagnosing kidney diseases, highlighting the need for a standardized approach. The task force recommends replacing existing equations with a new method that is accurate, representative, and unbiased.
The study reveals that COVID-19 hospitalizations peaked between March 22 and April 25, with rates 40 times higher than in the general population. Patients undergoing dialysis had a 17% increase in death rates compared to 2017-2019 rates.
Patients with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis developed a positive antibody response after COVID-19 vaccination, but at lower levels than healthy individuals. The findings highlight the need to reconsider vaccination schedules for this patient group.
Researchers developed a new tool to capture patients' opinions on home dialysis care, highlighting the importance of communication and care coordination. The Home Dialysis Care Experience instrument will be valuable for future research, clinical care, and quality improvement initiatives among home dialysis facilities.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to lessen several hemodialysis-related symptoms, including restless leg syndrome, symptoms of depression, muscle cramping, and fatigue. However, more research is needed to determine the extent of benefits from aerobic exercise for individuals with kidney failure who are undergoing dialysis.
A new smartphone app has been shown to improve medication adherence and safety in patients with chronic kidney disease. The eKidneyCare app sent monthly reminders for medication reviews and reduced medication discrepancies by 44% compared to a commercially available stand-alone app.
Clinical algorithms that adjust for race can cause harm to patients by delaying access to additional tests and treatments, according to a new article. The authors argue that the medical community must step up to achieve consensus on paths forward to address racial inequities in health care.
Measures of kidney function, such as the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate, may improve estimates of future cardiovascular disease risk. The addition of these non-traditional risk factors could refine stratification and predict cardiovascular disease more accurately.
A new analysis indicates that patients with kidney failure associated with sickle cell disease benefit from kidney transplantation to a similar extent as patients with kidney failure from other causes. Despite this, the sickle cell population is less likely to receive transplants.
A recent study found that enrolling Black patients on the waitlist with slightly better kidney function could reduce racial disparities in transplant access. This approach aims to bridge the gap between Black and white patients' wait times before kidney failure, ultimately promoting greater equality in transplantation.
A study found that veterans receiving all post-kidney transplant care within the VA have a lower risk of death compared to those receiving care through Medicare. The study suggests that high-quality care within the VA may contribute to better outcomes.
Despite policies and interventions aimed at improving access to kidney transplantation, a new study found no overall improvement in rates of wait list placement and transplantation over two decades. The researchers also identified striking disparities in access to transplantation, highlighting the need for more effective strategies to ...
The study found that racial disparities in kidney transplantation persist despite advances in the field. Blacks are more likely to develop kidney failure but less likely to undergo transplantation, particularly from living donors.
A survey of adults with kidney failure reveals that most own mobile devices and have intermediate or advanced mobile health proficiency. The main reasons for using mobile health include making appointments, communicating with healthcare personnel, and obtaining laboratory results.
Exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with a greater likelihood of chronic kidney disease. The risk is stronger in urban areas, males, younger adults, and those without comorbid diseases. Air pollution levels can be estimated using satellite-based information.
A new study found that US kidney biopsies don't add value beyond standard donor and recipient characteristics in predicting survival. Many discarded kidneys would likely benefit US patients awaiting a transplant, with some matching transplantation outcomes in Europe.
A recent analysis found that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) may reduce the cost of medical care for patients undergoing dialysis. The study discovered modest cost savings for Medicare beneficiaries in ACOs, especially those who received regular primary care physician visits.
A recent analysis found that the diabetes medication canagliflozin slowed kidney function decline in patients with diabetes and advanced chronic kidney disease. The drug also reduced the risk of developing kidney failure and cardiovascular problems in these patients.
A recent analysis found limited research evaluating depression screening tools in patients with kidney failure. The most extensively studied tool was the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), but many studies were small and had shortcomings.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among hospitalized US veterans with COVID-19, with nearly half not fully recovering their kidney function. The burden of death from AKI is disproportionately borne by Black veterans.
Social determinants like discrimination, depression, and mistrust predict patient-reported quality of life in kidney transplant patients. Lower medical mistrust leads to greater patient satisfaction with clinical services.
A study analyzing 60,229 patients found that Black patients are less likely to be referred for transplantation and more likely to receive a transplant after referral, but ultimately less likely to receive a transplant overall. Racial disparities in the transplant process emerge at listing stage and persist through organ allocation
A new machine learning-based model predicts atrial fibrillation risk in chronic kidney disease patients, providing a potential tool for enhanced cardiovascular care and clinical trial selection.
A new AI-based algorithm can predict which hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis. The model achieved high accuracy using data from over 3,000 patients and key features such as creatinine and potassium levels, age, and vital signs.
A new study found that Blacks and Hispanics experience higher rates of kidney failure compared to whites, driven by faster declines in kidney function after chronic kidney disease onset. This disparity can be addressed by slowing the progression of kidney disease in these populations.
A new AI-based tool can help clinicians predict which hospitalized patients are at high risk of developing acute kidney injury, allowing for earlier treatment and potentially better outcomes. The Dascena algorithm outperformed the standard method in predicting AKI 72 hours prior to onset.
Recent clinical trials have shown promising results for finerenone, which slows diabetic kidney disease progression and reduces cardiovascular events when added to standard care. Empagliflozin also demonstrated benefits in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest new treatment options for patients ...
A study found that online peer mentoring for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) improves patient activation, which is positively correlated with various aspects of quality of life. Improved patient activation correlates with improvements in physical symptoms and burdens of kidney disease but not mental aspects.
A new study examines the risk of acute kidney injury among Black individuals with sickle cell trait and disease, finding a higher risk for acute kidney injury and faster loss of kidney function. The study adds important information to sparse data on the risk of acute kidney injury in those carrying the sickle cell gene.
Glomerular diseases significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, affecting blood cleaning units in the kidneys. A study analyzing 2000-2012 data found a 2.5-times higher risk compared to the general population.
A new patient-reported outcome measure, SONG-HD Fatigue, has been validated to assess fatigue in patients receiving long-term dialysis treatments. The instrument calculates average fatigue over a period of 1 week, gauging tiredness, energy, and impact on life participation.
Researchers identified process and outcome indicators to monitor transplant center performance in evaluating potential living kidney donors. The study aims to improve efficiency and increase living kidney donations.
A recent study found that COVID-19 patients with kidney damage are at a significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The study analyzed data from 1,392 patients and found that kidney damage was associated with a 5-times higher odds of dying while in the hospital.
A 25-year analysis of PGT for kidney diseases in the Netherlands shows that 65% of couples with at least one successful cycle experienced live births without kidney disease. The study highlights the importance of counseling patients on their reproductive options to make informed choices.