An analysis of published studies found that children with CKD had lower intellectual functioning compared to children in the general population, particularly those on dialysis. Deficits were evident for attention, memory, and executive function domains.
Recent studies have compared human and mouse kidney development, revealing deep conservation of certain processes but also significant differences in gene expression and cell structures. The findings provide new insights into the processes directing cells to form functional kidney structures and may help guide emerging stem cell techno...
A new study found that lower sodium levels in the blood, known as hyponatremia, are related to declines in cognitive function with advancing age. Slightly lower serum sodium levels were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and decline over time, while high serum sodium was also linked to cognitive decline.
A new measure, STReR, is developed to assess how well dialysis facilities refer patients for transplantation. The study found that most variation in referrals was due to characteristics within the dialysis facilities rather than patient factors.
A study examining employment trends among patients with kidney failure found that employment was low throughout the study period at 23-24%. Approximately 120,000 adults in the US develop kidney failure each year, a majority of whom undergo dialysis. The probability of employment in kidney failure patients increased slightly over time.
A group of articles highlights the factors threatening job satisfaction and high-quality care delivery among nephrology specialists. Experts propose measures to improve professional lives, including fellowship training reform, practice transformation, and creating a stronger community of nephrologists.
Patients with chronic kidney disease prefer home dialysis due to flexibility, independence, and better survival rates. Transplantation improves brain function and enables patients to assume family obligations and careers, increasing its appeal.
A randomized clinical trial of bortezomib in late antibody-mediated kidney transplant rejection found no improvement in transplanted kidney function or prevention of immunologic tissue injury. The treatment was also linked with adverse effects, ruling out its potential as a therapeutic option for this condition.
Survival rates for individuals with kidney failure have improved significantly over the past 22 years, with decreases observed across all age groups. Improvements in dialysis care, organ transplantation, and clinical practice guidelines may be contributing factors to these advancements.
A study found that many discarded kidneys from deceased donors could have potentially been transplanted with good outcomes. The majority of discarded kidneys had traits considered unappealing, but their partner kidneys performed well after being used for transplantation.
Researchers have discovered that macrophages form a barrier around kidneys and that dendritic cells communicate with each other to control the magnitude of the immune response. This complex mechanism challenges previous ideas about how the kidney reacts to injury, and may lead to new strategies for protecting individuals' kidney health.
Researchers found genes associated with B cell receptor signaling and activation in tolerant kidney transplant recipients, suggesting an active immune regulation of B cells. The study provides insights into the mechanisms behind tolerance induction in renal transplantation, potentially leading to minimization of immunosuppression.
A recent analysis has linked proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to a 33% increased relative risk of chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. The study, published at ASN Kidney Week 2017, suggests that providers should consider the potential risks of PPI therapy in patients.
A new study found that TRC101, a hydrochloric acid binder, increased serum bicarbonate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and metabolic acidosis. The treatment was well-tolerated, with all adverse events being mild or moderate.
A history of kidney stones may increase the risk of metabolic and hypertensive complications during pregnancy. Research found that women with pre-existing kidney stones were more likely to experience gestational diabetes and hypertension.
The global burden of chronic kidney disease attributable to air pollution is estimated to be over 10.7 million cases per year, with varying impacts by geography. Air pollution may contribute to the rising incidence of CKD worldwide, particularly in Central America and South Asia.
New treatments for kidney disease, such as tolvaptan for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), have shown promising results in slowing kidney function decline. Bardoxolone methyl has also improved renal function in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Meanwhile, QPI-1002 has reduced the incidence and severity of acute...
A study of 3725 participants with chronic kidney disease found that depressive symptoms were associated with a higher risk of early death in white individuals, but not in black individuals. Treatment of depressive symptoms may help lower this risk.
A study found VA patients had significantly lower rates of kidney transplantation compared to those with private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. The researchers suggest that distance from transplant centers and other factors may contribute to these disparities.
A study of over 900,000 US veterans found chronic insomnia to be associated with increased risks of early death, rapid kidney function decline, and kidney failure. The study suggests that attention to proper management of chronic insomnia could have long-ranging positive effects on overall health.
A dose-dependent inverse association was found between caffeine consumption and early death in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study, presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017, suggests that advising patients to drink more caffeine may reduce mortality.
A recent study found that children with high blood pressure at night experienced a faster time to kidney failure than those with normal blood pressure. The study also showed that patients with high blood pressure during both day and night had an even more rapid decline, highlighting the importance of nighttime blood pressure control in...
New research suggests that greater reductions in mean blood pressure may harm the kidneys, rather than benefiting them. In hypertensive patients, intensive blood pressure treatment was found to be associated with an increased risk of kidney function decline.
A recent study found that African American patients were less likely to be wait-listed for a kidney transplant than White patients. Non-medical factors such as comorbidities, socio-economic status and social support played a significant role in the disparities.
A particular protein, DNAJB9, is found in abundance in the kidneys of patients with fibrillary glomerulonephritis, an aggressive kidney disease. The discovery may improve diagnosis and treatment options for this disease, which affects nearly half of patients who become dependent on dialysis.
Longtime advocates Paul T. Conway and Richard Knight received the ASN's President's Medal for their significant contributions to the fight against kidney diseases, including improving access to treatment and increasing funding for research and treatment innovations.
A recent analysis found that kidney transplant recipients lived longer than those who stayed on dialysis for at least 10 years. The benefit was observed after 657 days post-transplant, with a 40% lower risk of death compared to patients on dialysis.
A new study found that acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with significant healthcare costs, with the mildest forms of AKI resulting in 1.2 to 1.3 times greater costs than patients without AKI. The study estimates the incremental cost of AKI in Canada to be over $200 million per year.
A study found that young adults with kidney failure have lower quality of life, worse employment prospects, and are less likely to be married or have a partner. Higher education, alcohol abstinence, and smoking status did not differ significantly between those on dialysis and transplantation.
A study found that Canadian nephrologists generally recommend follow-up kidney evaluations for most patients with acute kidney injury but only a minority receive these evaluations. The disparity between recommendations and actual practices may be attributed to various factors, including patient age and pre-existing conditions.
A study found that many discarded kidney organs can be suitable for transplantation if certain steps are taken to limit damage following donation. The use of these organs could be increased by limiting cold ischemia times.
A study found nearly a quarter of dialysis patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, often for a diagnosis different from their initial hospitalization. Patient characteristics such as female gender, younger age, and certain medical conditions were linked to a high likelihood of readmission.
A study found a linear relationship between air pollution levels and the risk of experiencing kidney function decline and developing kidney disease or failure. The results suggest that particulate matter above the EPA's recommended limit is associated with new cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
A new analysis reveals that US dialysis patients are at high risk of early death, discontinuation of dialysis, and hospitalization due to excessive opioid use. The study found that more than 20% of dialysis patients received chronic opioid prescriptions, three times the rate in the general Medicare population.
A study found that individuals with chronic kidney disease who experienced high sleep fragmentation were at elevated risk of developing kidney failure. Higher sleep fragmentation and shorter sleep duration were also linked to steeper declines in kidney function over time. Subjectively measured daytime sleepiness was associated with an ...
A new study finds that sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral therapy is safe and effective in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The treatment improved kidney function in stage 3 patients after cure, suggesting a potential therapeutic option for CKD patients with HCV.
Researchers discovered that a particular receptor in kidney cells plays a crucial role in obesity-induced kidney damage. Targeting this receptor or its associated signaling pathway may help protect the kidneys of individuals with obesity from structural and functional changes, thereby reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease.
A recent study of healthy young adults found no association between marijuana use and change in kidney function over time or albumin in the urine. Further research is needed to assess the effects of marijuana on older adults and patients with kidney disease.
A cancer drug called bosutinib showed promise in slowing cyst growth in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The study found a 66% reduction in kidney enlargement for those receiving bosutinib compared to placebo.
A new analysis suggests that targeted educational interventions can improve living kidney donation rates. The study found significant benefits from educating both the potential recipient and their close social network, highlighting a promising approach to increase living donor kidney transplantation.
A study found that individuals with poor kidney function had a higher risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. The relative proportion of these infections increased as kidney function decreased.
The study found that individuals with kidney disease have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The risk increased step-wise with decreasing kidney function, and the link held even after accounting for other factors such as cardiovascular health.
Research reveals that many patients with chronic kidney disease experience smell loss, which correlates with poorer nutritional status. Treatment with intranasal theophylline has shown promise in improving smell function and reducing markers of malnutrition in a small group of patients.
A study found that US transplant centers rejected donated kidneys a median of 7 times before accepting them for transplantation. The rejections varied by patient and donor characteristics, contributing to racial and ethnic disparities in access to kidney transplants.
A new study reveals that patients discharged home from the emergency department with acute kidney injury (AKI) are at an increased risk of dying within 30 days. Patients with moderate-to-severe AKI have a higher risk of death, emphasizing the need for close follow-up and repeat kidney function testing.
A molecular analysis of tissue mismatch between donors and recipients predicted which recipients needed high doses of immune modulating drugs. The study found a strong correlation between low medication levels and low molecular mismatch scores, allowing physicians to tailor treatment to individual patients.
Researchers have developed a method to quickly diagnose preeclampsia, which affects 5% of pregnancies and is linked to elevated fetal hemoglobin levels. The findings may lead to better diagnostics and treatments for affected women.
A study found that hemodialysis patients with hypothyroidism exhibit impairments in health-related quality of life, including physical function and pain. The findings suggest a potential link between thyroid hormone levels and patient outcomes.
A recent study found that biopsy tests had no impact on kidney function after transplantation from living donors, but did influence outcomes with deceased donor kidneys. Despite this, nearly 20% of organs are still being discarded in the US due to suboptimal biopsy results.
A recent analysis of US dialysis facility data found that central venous catheters are associated with the most bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated pathogen, with 40% of isolates resistant to antibiotic methicillin.