Targeting a systolic blood pressure of <120 mm Hg reduced cardiovascular events and premature death in CKD patients, but slightly accelerated kidney function decline. The benefits were observed across all age groups within the CKD subgroup.
Researchers developed a calculator estimating graft survival after kidney transplant from living donors, accounting for mismatches in age, sex, HLA, and body size. The tool is particularly useful for kidney paired donation, allowing candidates to compare estimated graft survival with different potential donors.
Receiving donor kidneys from individuals with diabetes offers a greater survival benefit than remaining on the waitlist for many transplant candidates. Patients at high risk of dying while on the waitlist and those at centers with long wait times may benefit the most from transplantation with kidneys from diabetic donors.
A new study found that higher body fat was linked with increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Waist circumference and BMI were shown to provide similar information on risk as more direct measures of different types of body fat, indicating these simple measures may be reliable for assessing an individual's risk.
A new study has identified various medical diagnoses that may elevate an individual's risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) while in the hospital. AKI is often associated with medical or surgical conditions that deprive the kidneys of normal blood flow, and previous studies have only identified certain risk factors.
Chronic fluid overload increases the risk of early death in kidney failure patients on hemodialysis, comparable to coronary artery disease and heart failure. The study found that cumulative exposure to fluid overload over 1 year predicted a higher risk of death than a single measurement at the start of dialysis treatment.
Patients with chronic kidney disease are at a higher risk of experiencing complications when hospitalized, including longer hospital stays and mortality. The study found that potentially preventable hospital-acquired complications are linked to an elevated risk of early death in these patients.
Researchers developed a risk calculator to estimate long-term risks of developing kidney failure in living kidney donors. The study found that black donors and older male donors were at higher risk, while younger black candidates should be carefully evaluated.
A recent study examines how new kidney specialists feel their training has prepared them to care for patients, highlighting areas for improvement in nephrology fellowship structure and content. The findings suggest that fellows may be underprepared for home dialysis modalities and emphasize the need for more education in core nephrolog...
A new analysis reveals that by 2013, cardiovascular deaths due to reduced kidney function surpassed kidney failure deaths globally. Maintaining kidney health may help prevent cardiovascular diseases and deaths. The study found that reduced kidney function increases the risk of congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Research suggests that low urine ammonium excretion may identify individuals with chronic kidney disease at high risk of progression or death. Low ammonium levels also predict increased risk of developing acidosis and a higher mortality rate.
A new study reveals that a higher risk of transplant failure is associated with a 28% increase in weight compared to the donor, as well as a 35-50% relative risk for opposite-sex kidney transplants. This highlights the importance of considering donor and recipient matching beyond current immunology-based protocols.
A new analysis reveals that dialysis patients are being screened at a higher rate than their counterparts without kidney failure, with the healthiest patients being more likely to receive screening. The findings suggest that there is substantial over-screening among patients on dialysis, and physicians should carefully evaluate patient...
A new study suggests that a low dose of apixaban, an oral anticoagulant, can be maintained at safe levels in dialysis patients to potentially prevent strokes. The research indicates that this dosage may be effective for stroke prevention in these patients.
Research finds that individuals with sickle cell trait have a twofold increased risk of developing kidney failure, similar to the APOL1 gene variants. Hemoglobin C trait did not associate with kidney disease or kidney failure. Early screening and aggressive treatment can help mitigate this risk.
A new study reveals that patients with pre-existing donor-specific antibodies experience better kidney survival rates compared to those with de novo antibodies. Understanding the timing of antibody responses can guide matching and prevent rejection.
A new study found that HIV-infected individuals with kidney failure are less likely to receive a transplant, especially from living donors. The study highlights the need for expanded access to organs for HIV+ patients to address disparities in transplantation.
A randomized crossover trial found that limiting sodium intake reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 11mmHg and excess fluid retention. The study suggests that simple dietary advice may help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway that likely plays an important role in rejection following kidney transplantation. The findings suggest that targeting specific immune cells or signaling pathways may help prevent tissue scarring.
Patients with primary non-English language fluency face disparities in completing kidney transplant evaluations, ultimately affecting their access to a transplant. Researchers found that linguistically isolated households were linked to lower likelihoods of transitioning to active waitlist status and incomplete evaluations.
A new study has found that skin sodium content is strongly correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease. Reducing skin sodium through dietary restriction or medications may help protect the heart in these patients.
Patients with kidney failure receiving chronic hemodialysis often have depressive symptoms but refuse treatment. When willing, doctors commonly don't prescribe anti-depressant therapy, citing underlying reasons including physiological and psychological changes associated with kidney failure.
A study found that decreased blood levels of soluble klotho were linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing kidney function decline in elderly adults. Higher klotho levels may help preserve kidney function.
A phase 3 trial found that oral ferric citrate significantly boosted hemoglobin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease, correcting anemia. The treatment effect was seen as early as 1-2 weeks after starting treatment and was durable.
A study found that patients with kidney failure were less likely to have advance directives than those with other serious illnesses, but those who did had better end-of-life care. The presence of treatment-limiting directives and surrogate decision makers reduced hospitalizations, intensive procedures, and inpatient deaths.
Hemodialysis patients have altered blood clots that increase cardiovascular and other cause mortality risks. Dense blood clots found in kidney failure patients also affect fibrinogen protein modifications.
A new study reveals that women with advanced kidney disease are at a higher risk of developing cancer, highlighting the importance of targeted screening strategies.
A study analyzing data from over 12,000 children reveals racial disparities in kidney transplant survival rates, with black children at higher risk due to reduced access to transplantation. Hispanic children, despite lower access, had a lower risk of death compared to non-Hispanic white children.
A study found that women with a history of recovered acute kidney injury had an increased rate of preeclampsia and delivered infants earlier than those with normal kidney function. Infants born to these women were also at higher risk for small-for-gestational-age births.
Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are more likely to show signs of kidney damage. Maternal smoking is linked to an increased risk of childhood proteinuria, a sign of reduced kidney function that can lead to chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease in adulthood.
Rates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease are higher among older kidney transplant recipients than in the general population. Older patients with kidney failure who receive a kidney transplant are at increased risk of developing these conditions, which can threaten both their transplanted organ and survival.
A study found that patient and kidney survival rates are comparable among donor age groups, including those over 80. Kidneys from octogenarian donors have a higher discard rate, but the difference is not significant. The results support using extended criteria donors, including older adults.
A healthy diet has been linked to a reduced risk of early death in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study analyzed 7 studies involving 15,285 participants and found that healthy dietary patterns were consistently associated with a 20-30% lower rate of mortality.
A study reveals that the liver is the primary source of Apol1, a protein linked to kidney disease, and finds a significant association between APOL1 gene variants and increased risk in individuals of recent African ancestry. The findings provide new insights into the biology of Apol1 and its potential role in health and disease.
A simple home-based walking program improved physical capacity and quality of life in patients undergoing long-term dialysis. The study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, found that regular exercise can have positive effects on dialysis patients.
A study found that intensive systolic blood pressure lowering can prolong life compared to standard levels, preventing approximately 107,500 deaths per year. Additionally, this approach is projected to save around 32,800 lives annually among adults with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease.
Researchers have developed a living membrane using conditionally immortalized human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells on polyethersulfone-based hollow fiber membranes. This breakthrough brings the development of a bioartificial kidney closer to reality, offering hope for millions of patients with kidney failure.
Recent studies have yielded promising results for patients with type 2 diabetes, including a 21% reduced risk of kidney dysfunction or death. Remote ischemic preconditioning has also shown sustained improvement in kidney function after transplantation. Meanwhile, trials examining dialysate sodium levels and voclosporin treatment have o...
Research found that short and poor quality sleep were associated with a lower risk of developing kidney failure, while higher sleep fragmentation increased the risk. Patients who experienced daytime sleepiness also had a higher risk of death during follow-up.
A study by Eugene Lin and colleagues found that multi-disciplinary care is a cost-effective intervention, costing $24,613 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), compared to dialysis which costs $129,090 per QALY. This approach can improve the health of patients with kidney disease while reducing medical costs.
Studies found that proton pump inhibitors and histamine receptor-2 blockers increase the risk of developing kidney stones and chronic kidney disease. Long-term use of these medications was associated with a higher risk of kidney stone formation, particularly those made of calcium oxalate.
A simple saliva test for salivary urea nitrogen showed high accuracy in diagnosing kidney disease in adults in Malawi. The test also predicted patients' risk of early death, highlighting its potential to improve treatment outcomes.
Amit X. Garg, a renowned nephrologist, is being honored by the American Society of Nephrology for his groundbreaking research on living kidney donation and kidney health analytics. His work has led to improved understanding and treatment of kidney diseases, including E. coli O157:H7 poisoning and acute kidney injury.
The ASN Foundation is launching a Securing the Future Campaign to raise critical funding for the Career Development Grants Program. The program aims to provide support for early career investigators in kidney research. With the campaign, the organization hopes to guarantee funding and attract top talent to the field.
A study found that cigarette smoking blocked the benefits of medications taken by patients with early chronic kidney disease. Nonsmokers and quitters had slower worsening of kidney function compared to those who continued to smoke, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking for kidney health.
Scientists have developed a method to create functional kidney units from patient cells, allowing for the study of human kidney diseases and potential therapeutic agents. The research enables in vitro studies of kidney pathophysiology and nephrotoxicity, with the ultimate goal of developing bioengineered kidneys for regenerative medicine.
A telemedicine program in partnership with a national dialysis provider and a rural hospital in Kentucky has successfully treated over a dozen patients with more than 20 dialysis treatments, achieving 67% success rate. The program also provides 24/7 nephrology care for patients with kidney and electrolyte disorders.
Research links kidney damage to impaired cognitive function, including memory and attention, as well as structural brain changes. Higher albumin in urine, indicative of poor kidney function, was associated with worse cognitive performance.
A recent study found that nearly half of kidney failure patients receiving dialysis had advance directives, but only a small minority specifically addressed dialysis management at the end of life. The simple presence or absence of an advance directive is not enough to fully address important aspects of dialysis patients' end-of-life care.
A new program, Live Donor Champion, has been shown to increase knowledge of live donation and comfort approaching others about live donation. The program boosted live donor referrals, with a 5.5-fold increase in having at least one donor referral compared to matched controls on the waiting list.