A recent study found that canagliflozin slows the progression of kidney function decline to a greater extent than glimepiride, while having similar blood sugar-lowering effects. The findings suggest that potential kidney protective effects of canagliflozin may be unrelated to glycemic control.
A lower blood pressure target than the currently guideline-recommended goal of 140/90 mm Hg was found to be safe and associated with protection against premature death. This strategy also protected against kidney failure in patients with higher levels of proteinuria.
A large study found that maintaining intermediate levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol may help people live longer. The study, which included 1.7 million US male veterans, discovered a U-shaped relationship between HDL-C and mortality risk, with low and high levels being associated with higher risks.
A new study found that preterm infants with acute kidney injury (AKI) have higher levels of certain proteins in their urine compared to healthy infants. This could lead to better diagnostics and treatment for AKI in newborns, which is a common complication in premature infants and can predict poor clinical outcomes.
Research found that retained metabolites in the blood are associated with impaired cognitive function in patients with kidney failure. The study suggests that interventions may be necessary to safeguard the mental health of these patients.
A new study found a strong association between red meat intake and increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with soy and legumes appearing slightly protective. Substituting one serving of red meat with other protein sources can significantly reduce the risk of ESRD by up to 62%.
A study found that regions in China with high levels of fine particulate air pollution have elevated rates of membranous nephropathy, an immune disorder of the kidneys. The likelihood of developing membranous nephropathy increased by 13% annually over 11 years.
African Americans with diabetes are at increased risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular mortality. The study found that assessing kidney function can help identify individuals with elevated cardiovascular risks.
A study of 500 children with chronic kidney disease found that two-thirds were deficient in vitamin D. Children who took vitamin D supplements had significantly higher levels and a lower risk of deficiency, highlighting the importance of supplementation practices.
Researchers found that faster intestinal calcium absorption and increased urinary excretion of calcium may predispose hypercalciuric patients to developing kidney stones. Measuring these factors could help identify individuals at risk, allowing for early prevention and treatment.
A genetic variant in the HO-1 gene is highly associated with development of AKI following cardiac surgery, leading to decreased expression and iron toxicity. Testing for this variant may help identify patients at risk, enabling therapeutic strategies to mitigate kidney damage.
A study found that gut bacterial metabolites can accumulate in patients with chronic kidney disease, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. The accumulation of phenylacetylglutamine was particularly associated with poor health outcomes.
A targeted screening program in Canada identified a high proportion of individuals with risk factors for chronic kidney disease and many with unrecognized CKD. The See Kidney Disease (SeeKD) program successfully promoted good kidney health and provided early detection of CKD, emphasizing the importance of targeted screening.
A simple public health intervention helped prevent many cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Pakistan by training community health workers and general practitioners on healthy lifestyle advice. After 7 years, individuals with the combined intervention had preserved kidney function, while those who received usual care experienced a ...
A new smartphone-based system improved blood pressure control, reduced medication errors, and increased patient engagement among patients with chronic kidney disease. The system provided personalized feedback and alerts to clinicians, leading to better patient outcomes.
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a higher risk of experiencing hospital-acquired complications when hospitalized. A study of 536,549 adults found that CKD patients were 19% more likely to experience complications than those with normal kidney function, with the risk increasing as CKD severity worsened.
Research suggests that climate change and resulting water shortages are linked to an increase in chronic kidney disease caused by dehydration and heat stress. The study found that rural hot communities are disproportionately affected, with risks increasing for cognitive dysfunction, malnutrition, and other conditions.
Researchers found that female reproductive hormone cycles are associated with transient increases in enzymes indicative of kidney health. This suggests that women may have an increased resistance to kidney damage due to cyclical changes in sex hormone levels.
A study of over 300,000 patients with chronic kidney disease found that higher systolic blood pressure is linked to poor outcomes, but this association diminishes with advanced age. The findings support current clinical guidelines for younger patients, but suggest a more cautious approach for very elderly patients.
Research finds that proton pump inhibitors, widely used for heartburn and ulcers, can lead to kidney function decline, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure. Long-term use of these medications significantly increases the risk of developing kidney problems.
A study found that kidneys possess an innate circadian clock regulating various functions, including urine formation and excretion, which adapt to daily light-dark cycles. This internal clock also influences the levels of amino acids and lipids in the blood and affects drug elimination in individuals taking medications.
A recent study found that HPV vaccination stimulates robust immune responses in girls and young women with chronic kidney disease and dialysis, but less optimal responses among those with a kidney transplant. This highlights the need for additional research to protect kidney transplant recipients from HPV infections.
A study of 10,533 kidney transplant recipients found that nearly half visited an emergency department within 2 years, with younger age, female patients, and public insurance being significant risk factors. The findings highlight the need for coordinated care for this vulnerable patient population.
A new study found that elderly kidney failure patients who chose conservative management had a similar survival rate to those on dialysis. The research suggests that conservative care may be a reasonable option for selected older patients with end-stage renal disease.
A recent study found that African Americans have a higher risk of hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure compared to whites, even after adjusting for genetic variants. Most blacks with the high-risk APOL1 gene variant experienced similar decline in kidney function as those without the variant.
Researchers have discovered cells in the urine of preterm infants that can differentiate into mature kidney cells and provide protection against cell death. These cells could potentially be used as a treatment to regenerate damaged kidneys and improve outcomes for patients with kidney disease.
A study of US patients on dialysis from 2005 to 2012 found declining ESA use and hemoglobin concentrations, resulting in increased transfusions. However, rates of death and cardiovascular events decreased during this period, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of recent trends in anemia drug use.
A study of 1492 patients with chronic kidney disease found that nearly 28% had masked hypertension, which increases the risk of kidney, heart, and vascular damage. Measuring blood pressure outside the clinic is recommended to assess patients' risks for hypertension-related health problems.
A study on the history of hemodialysis explores how medical research and technological advancements impact resource distribution. The investigation found that bioethical principles, such as autonomy and justice, are weighed differently over time, emphasizing the need for sustainable ethical solutions.
A new study reveals reduced racial disparities in kidney transplant outcomes between black and white recipients over the past 2 decades. The findings show improved organ survival rates for black patients, including those who received live donor or deceased donor kidney transplants.
A ketoanalogue-supplemented vegetarian very low-protein diet was found to slow disease progression in patients with advanced CKD. The study suggests that this type of nutritional intervention could be used to postpone dialysis initiation in compliant patients.
A study found that high levels of mitochondrial DNA in the blood are associated with a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The researchers analyzed data from over 9,500 participants and discovered that individuals with higher mitochondrial DNA copy numbers had a 25% lower risk of CKD compared to those with lower levels.
A recent study found that low blood levels of bicarbonate are associated with an increased risk of premature death in healthy older adults. Participants with normal or high bicarbonate levels had a similar risk of dying compared to those with low bicarbonate levels, which was linked to a 24% higher mortality rate.
The study found substantial variation in CKD prevalence across European countries, ranging from 3% to 17%, which may be due to factors other than diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The findings could guide future projections of the CKD burden in Europe and inform prevention and disease management strategies.
Researchers have found that screening male kidney transplant candidates for prostate cancer does not prolong their survival and may even delay receiving a transplant. Elevated PSA levels detected through screening were associated with a reduced likelihood of receiving a transplant regardless of the patient's age or PSA level.
Consuming a beverage rich in cocoa flavanols improves blood vessel function and reduces diastolic blood pressure in patients with kidney failure. Individuals with failing kidneys are at increased risk of developing heart problems, but diet-based therapeutic approaches to counteract cardiovascular disease are limited.
A randomized clinical trial found that vitamin D2 supplements did not reduce the need for anemia drugs in dialysis patients. The study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, suggests that nutritional vitamin D may have no role in treating anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
A study reveals racial and ethnic differences in US patients with kidney failure accessing home dialysis, with potential factors including lack of availability, insurance barriers, and provider bias. The findings highlight the need to ensure equitable access to different dialysis modalities to improve health outcomes.
A new study reveals that Native Americans have decreased access to kidney transplants, leading to higher mortality rates on the waiting list. The study found that while short-term outcomes were similar, Native Americans experienced worse long-term survival outcomes compared to whites.
Researchers successfully transplanted human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney tissues into mouse kidneys, where the animal's blood vessels connected to the human tissue. The advance allows for the creation of urine-producing kidneys through regenerative medicine.
A study found that after 6 months of hydroxyurea treatment, sickle cell disease patients' kidney function improved significantly. The urinary albumin/creatine ratio decreased, indicating a potential renal benefit of HU in sickle cell disease.
Elevated serum phosphorus levels in African Americans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with faster progression to kidney failure, known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The study found that African Americans are more than 3 times as likely to progress to kidney failure as Caucasians.
Higher levels of urinary potassium excretion were linked with slower declines in kidney function and lower cardiovascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes. A diet rich in potassium may help protect heart and kidney health, according to the study.
A study found that kidney failure patients on dialysis were at high risk of kidney and thyroid cancers, while those post-transplant were at higher risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and melanoma. The findings highlight the importance of cancer screening and prevention in these patients.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in nanopore technology that could pave the way for a surgically implantable artificial kidney. The new device is designed to remove toxins and waste from the blood without a pump or electrical power, offering a promising alternative to dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease.
Recent studies focus on hypertension in overweight and obese adolescents, revealing under-diagnosis despite risk factors. Lead exposure in pregnancy is linked to higher blood pressure in young children. Microparticles released from cells cause fetal death, preeclampsia, and embryonic growth restriction in mice.
A study found that African American and Native American dialysis patients were 43-44% less likely to use hospice before dying compared to white patients. The research highlights the need for high-quality research into the benefits of dialysis therapy in older and sicker segments of society.
Studies found that many African Americans with uncontrolled hypertension lack access to essential food categories, such as fruits, whole grains, and plant proteins. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is particularly beneficial for this population, but discussions about diet with doctors are often inadequate.
New equations predict lifetime risk of kidney failure in living kidney donors, with those developing diabetes or hypertension facing higher risks. The findings highlight the need for revised kidney transplant policies and emphasize the importance of monitoring donor health.
A study finds that advanced stages of chronic kidney disease significantly increase the risk of falling into poverty. Black ethnicity, low educational attainment, single adult households, and low income are also linked to a higher likelihood of financial hardship.