Research findings suggest that aerobic activity improves the health-related quality of life and reduces depressive symptoms among hemodialysis patients. The study also found that dialysis facilities can promote physical activity levels by offering exercise programs, potentially improving patient outcomes.
A randomized clinical trial found that cooling dialysis fluids to 0.5°C below body temperature protects against progressive white matter brain injury due to blood pressure instability. This simple intervention does not just improve patient comfort but completely prevents brain damage in patients undergoing dialysis.
A study finds that older adults, women, and less educated individuals have more concerns about kidney transplantation. These concerns can lead to lower chances of getting listed for a transplant. The study aims to address these barriers to improve access to transplantation.
A study of dialysis patients found that clinicians' reported discussions about transplantation did not increase patients' likelihood of being listed, despite patient-reported discussions being associated with a nearly 3-fold increased chance. The findings suggest the need for improved patient communication and informed consent.
An analysis from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests acute hemodialysis may not decrease mortality in people with sudden kidney failure. The study found that patients who received acute hemodialysis had a nearly twice the risk of death compared to those who did not receive treatment.
A recent study found that black women are less likely to want to receive kidney transplants from living donors, despite receiving more unsolicited offers from family and friends. Women were also less likely to be evaluated for a transplant, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to alleviate existing disparities.
A study found that depressive symptoms and pain in dialysis patients were associated with increased hospitalization rates, emergency department visits, and mortality. The findings suggest that treating these symptoms could improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs.
The Zerenex PERFECTED study demonstrated a highly statistically significant change in serum phosphorus, increases in serum ferritin and transferrin saturation, and significant reductions in IV iron and ESA usage. This could lead to significant pharmaco-economic benefits and improved patient care.
Using an expensive agent to prevent blood clots in kidney failure patients' dialysis catheters may reduce overall medical complications and lower healthcare costs. A recent clinical trial found that the increased cost of this medication was partially offset by lower costs for managing complications.
Researchers found that a low-dose gentamicin/citrate solution reduced mortality by 68% and bloodstream infections by 73% compared to heparin. Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of hospitalization and death in hemodialysis patients.
A study analyzing 563,281 hemodialysis patients found significant racial and ethnic differences in hospitalization rates. Younger black patients, older black patients, and older Hispanic patients had increased hospitalization rates compared to whites of similar ages, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A recent study found that young black adults with kidney failure living in poor neighborhoods are nearly twice as likely to die while still young compared to whites. The reasons for this difference are not well understood, but the researchers suggest that socioeconomic factors may play a role.
Calciphylaxis occurs when calcium and phosphorus bind to form a biological cement that blocks and inflames small blood vessels. Risk factors include being over age 65, Caucasian, and diabetic.
Researchers found that dialysis facilities in the Southeast have lower rates of kidney transplantation due to factors such as higher poverty levels and fewer staff. In contrast, Northeastern facilities had higher rates of transplantation, suggesting regional variations in access to care.
Researchers found a significant association between reduced daily physical activities and mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. The study suggests that increased daily physical activity could be an effective way to reduce these symptoms in dialysis patients.
A new study finds that kidney transplantation offers better treatment outcomes and increased survival rates compared to intensive home hemodialysis. However, patients on home dialysis still have good health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research.
A Canadian study found that kidney transplant recipients lived longer and had better treatment success rates than patients on intensive home hemodialysis. However, these patients were also at a higher risk of hospitalization within the first year after transplantation.
A study found that walking can significantly improve survival rates and reduce the need for dialysis among patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease. Patients who walked regularly were 33% less likely to die and 21% less likely to require dialysis compared to non-walkers.
A study found that more frequent face-to-face physician visits after hospital discharge can reduce kidney failure patient readmissions by 3.5%, resulting in significant cost savings. Nearly 400,000 people in the US are on dialysis, highlighting the importance of this intervention.
A study published by the American Roentgen Ray Society found that image-guided peritoneal dialysis catheter placement significantly reduced complications at 1 year post-insertion. The technique allowed for faster catheter placement, facilitating urgent-start peritoneal dialysis and avoiding temporary vascular-access catheters.
A study in Australia found that patients from more affluent areas were less likely to use home dialysis and more likely to use in-center hemodialysis. Rural areas had higher rates of peritoneal dialysis, while private hospitals rarely used home dialysis.
A study found that dialysis patients with higher muscle mass had better scores on a 6-minute walking test and improved physical and mental health. Higher body fat measures, such as waist circumference and intra-abdominal fat, were linked to poorer outcomes.
The updated guidelines emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to care, targeting growth, neurocognitive development, quality of life, and risk for complications. Children's Mercy Hospital has led the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study, identifying factors that lead to kidney disease progression in children.
A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) is potentially hazardous for frail patients with lower creatinine concentration levels. In contrast, more robust patients experience increased survival and reduced mortality when receiving dialysis. These findings highlight ...
A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that intensive dialysis treatments in pregnant women with kidney failure lead to higher live birth rates, with fewer complications. Infants born to these mothers tend to be healthier at birth when their mothers receive more frequent and longer dialysis sessions.
A 4-year follow-up study found that patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units who require renal replacement therapy do not benefit from higher-intensity treatment. Albuminuria was common among survivors, indicating ongoing risk of chronic kidney disease and mortality.
A new guideline from the Canadian Society of Nephrology recommends delaying dialysis for asymptomatic adults with chronic kidney disease, citing improved quality of life and cost savings. The 'intent-to-defer' strategy avoids the burden of early start, while still closely monitoring patients.
Studies found that African-American hemodialysis patients with sickle cell trait received about 13% more anemia medications than those without the trait to achieve the same level of hemoglobin. The presence of sickle cell trait was also more common among dialysis patients, affecting approximately 10% of study participants.
Researchers at Wayne State University have discovered a potential way to improve lipid profiles in hemodialysis patients, which may prevent cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E supplements improved patients' triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels compared to placebo groups.
Most women on dialysis experience sexual inactivity, but true sexual dysfunction is less common; many are satisfied with their sex life, and few wish to learn about treatment options. The study highlights the need for individualized discussions between physicians and patients to identify those who truly suffer from sexual dysfunction.
Researchers found that treatment with ACEIs/ARBs in patients with stable hypertension and advanced CKD was associated with a lower risk of long-term dialysis or death. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, included 28,497 patients and followed them for seven months.
Older adults initiate chronic dialysis in the hospital, and those with prolonged hospital stays and life support receive limited survival and intensive healthcare. Healthcare intensity around dialysis initiation affects patients' outcomes, guiding physicians to determine the best care.
Early data from a Polish patient study suggest the investigational bioengineered vessel may be effective as a dialysis graft, with 100% of patients regaining blood flow after initial loss. The technology uses human tissue and has shown no signs of infection or immune reaction.
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that women with advanced kidney disease who start dialysis during pregnancy have a higher live birth rate compared to those already on dialysis. This discovery may help guide care for young women who need dialysis.
Triferic effectively delivers iron to the body's bone marrow, maintaining hemoglobin levels without rapid flux, a safer alternative to current intravenous injection methods. The study demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing iron overload and iron deficiency in 300 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis.
Elderly patients who start dialysis after age 75 have a high mortality rate, with half dying within one year. Healthier elderly patients do better than those with declining health.
A study published by UC researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) before starting dialysis are 1.5 times more likely to die in their first year compared to those without AKI. This discovery may help improve dialysis outcomes and quality of life for millions of patients.
The global prevalence of kidney failure treatment is skyrocketing, with a 165% increase in dialysis treatments over the past two decades. Dialysis therapy has seen significant growth, particularly in countries with universal access, where adjusted prevalence increased by 134%.
Levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in dialysis machine components have been found to be toxic to the immune cells circulating in kidney failure patients' blood. Researchers analyzed the effects of BPA on immune cells and found that alternative polymers for dialyzers' components may reduce BPA elution during dialysis.
A new study found that a patient's immune response may provide better insights into bacterial infections than conventional tests, leading to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The research identified unique 'immune fingerprints' associated with certain pathogens and predicted the nature of the infection.
A new study found that overnight dialysis boosts kidney health and reduces the risk of heart disease by improving artery function. This treatment method allows for more frequent and longer dialysis sessions at home, leading to reduced toxin buildup in the blood.
A study found that behavioral therapy provided chair-side to kidney failure patients during dialysis significantly reduces depression scores and improves quality of life. The treatment group experienced greater improvements in fluid intake between sessions, making subsequent treatments more efficient.
A recent trial found that honey did not offer better protection against infection than standard antibiotics in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The study involved 371 participants and showed no significant difference in the time to first infection between the two groups.
Researchers have identified a potential new target for breast cancer treatment: ERBB3, an oncogene that promotes tumor growth. The study also found peritoneal dialysis to be effective in reducing brain damage after stroke by lowering glutamate levels.
Peritoneal dialysis has been shown to reduce glutamate levels in the blood following a stroke event, potentially preserving brain tissue and function. In a rat model of ischemic stroke, peritoneal dialysis reduced tissue damage in the brain.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that nephrologists with a lower patient caseload tend to have better survival rates among dialysis patients. For every additional 50 patients cared for by a nephrologist, patients experienced a 2% higher risk of dying within six years.
A study found that more frequent and longer patient-doctor contact in dialysis care is linked to better health outcomes for patients. Facilities with higher frequency and duration of contact had significantly lower mortality rates and fewer hospitalizations compared to those with intermediate or infrequent contact.
The new report provides detailed criteria to optimize the use of noninvasive vascular tests in patients with venous disorders. Vascular testing is essential for diagnosing conditions like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal if left untreated.
A study found that elderly patients with kidney failure who use catheters have a high risk of death, while those using arteriovenous fistulas or grafts in their late 60s and 70s experience improved survival rates. However, for those over 80 years old, placing a graft may be a reasonable alternative to a fistula.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that administering large doses of intravenous iron over a short period increases dialysis patients' risk of developing serious infections. In contrast, smaller doses given less frequently do not increase infection risk.
Researchers at Duke University Hospital successfully implanted a bioengineered blood vessel into a kidney dialysis patient, marking the first US clinical trial of this technology. The new vein is an off-the-shelf product engineered using human cells and no biological properties that trigger organ rejection.
Patients with advanced kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis are at high risk of heart attacks due to uremic toxins. New research identifies oral adsorbent AST-120 as a potential treatment to delay kidney disease progression and prevent future heart attacks.
A 10-minute test for frailty can predict increased risk of death and frequent hospitalization among kidney dialysis patients. The test measures physiological reserve and suggests that dialysis patients are undergoing premature aging, leading to higher mortality rates.
A study found that seriously ill patients undergoing hemodialysis tend to be more optimistic than their physicians about their prognosis. Nephrologists rarely discuss estimated life-expectancy with patients, instead leaving it to patients to over-estimate their long-term survival rates.
A new study published in JAMA finds that the risk of death for children on dialysis has dramatically decreased over time, with a 20% reduction in mortality risk every five years. This improvement is attributed to better pre-dialysis care, advances in dialysis technology, and reduced waiting times for transplants.
A significant decrease in mortality rates was observed among children initially treated with dialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the US, according to a study published in JAMA. The study found that all-cause mortality risk decreased progressively over time, with no age-specific differences.
A new study shows stent grafts can successfully keep dialysis access sites open using tiny scaffolds for far longer than previously reported, reducing the need for invasive treatments and improving patients' quality of life.
A study found significant racial disparities in end-of-life care among US adults with kidney failure, with black patients less likely to be referred to hospice and discontinue dialysis compared to white patients. The differences were most pronounced in regions with the highest levels of end-of-life spending.
A study found that racial disparities in end-of-life care among US adults with kidney failure are substantial and vary by region. Black patients are less likely to discontinue dialysis and be referred to hospice compared to white patients, especially in high-end life spending regions.
A study of 1.2 million dialysis patients found Hispanics lived the longest, followed by Blacks, with Whites having the shortest survival time. The disparity may be due to differences in health status before kidney failure.