Articles tagged with Nephrology
A new study reveals significant variability in urine sediment test interpretations among nephrologists, emphasizing the need for standardized education and training to improve reliability. This variation can lead to misinterpretation and potential patient harm, necessitating a more standardized approach to diagnose kidney diseases.
A new study found that electronic medical records (EMRs) enhance the education of nephrology fellows, providing efficient access to patient lab and x-ray results. However, EMR data entry time demands contribute to work-hour violations, frustration, and burnout among fellows.
A study published in Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that mortality rates are higher for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to those with kidney failure due to diabetes or other causes. The risk is particularly high for women and minorities.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers found that more than half of existing kidney disease quality metrics are of middle or low quality, which hampers efforts to improve patient care. The team advocates for shifting focus to metrics that matter most to patients and accurately reflect kidney health or disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are using APOL1 genotyping to identify high-risk African American donors and reduce their chances of developing kidney disease. The study aims to optimize the health of organ donors by protecting them from genetic factors that increase their risk of kidney disease.
Mayo Clinic researchers discovered subtle structural features in living donor kidneys that can predict transplant failure in recipients. These features include minimal scarring, hardening of vessels, and enlarged nephrons.
A high-protein diet may boost chronic kidney disease and increase the risk of de novo kidney diseases, says a new study. Experts warn that patients with diabetes or obesity who follow a high-protein diet may be at risk of severe kidney damage.
The American Society of Nephrology has announced the inaugural winners of its new Midcareer Awards. The awards recognize clinicians, researchers, and educators who have made substantial contributions to nephrology in areas such as clinical service, education, leadership, mentorship, and research.
The American Society of Nephrology has honored five individuals for their outstanding contributions to kidney disease research, education, and clinical practice. Mitchell Rosner received the Robert G. Narins Award for his work in education and teaching, while Toshiro Fujita was recognized for his groundbreaking research on hypertension.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed national data on the prevalence of diabetes and the number of internal medicine specialists in each U.S. state. They found that cardiologists were the highest represented specialists, suggesting they are well-positioned to provide optimal care for patients with diabetes.
Chronic kidney disease affects 37 million Americans, but primary care physicians lack sufficient knowledge and resources to effectively identify and manage patients. A focus group study found that PCPs need more training, resources, and clinical support tools to address the growing epidemic of CKD.
The Nephrology and Public Policy Committee (NPPC) has outlined a research plan to stimulate collaboration and grant applications in Europe. The plan focuses on addressing the global spread of kidney diseases, improving diagnostic tests, and enhancing patient care.
A study of 496,989 US patients found that those employed 6 months prior to dialysis initiation had lower mortality rates and higher transplant rates compared to unemployed individuals. The study highlights the importance of employment in improving quality of life and health outcomes for haemodialysis patients.
A new SGLT2 inhibitor medication has been shown to significantly slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes. The CREDENCE trial demonstrated a 34% reduction in the risk of end-stage kidney disease, as well as improved cardiovascular outcomes.
Public health researchers suggest adjustments to Medicare rules to accommodate frequent hemodialysis treatment, which has shown mixed results. The proposed changes aim to give nephrologists greater clarity on payment for dialysis care, enabling them to identify better treatment options.
The Kidney Health Atlas reveals that 14.5 million people will have end-stage kidney disease by 2030, yet only 5.4 million will receive treatment due to economic and social factors. The atlas highlights significant gaps in kidney care globally, particularly in low-income countries.
A recent study found that kidney disease can trigger cognitive impairment even in its early stages, affecting approximately one in two patients. The cognitive decline is not age-related and worsens with declining kidney function.
A new global study, Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA), is released on April 12 at the World Congress of Nephrology, detailing country and region breakdowns of global kidney health. The study highlights disparities in treatment access due to social, economic, and political factors, resulting in over 2 million deaths annually worldwide.
A recent study found that very few smartphone apps related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) are highly rated by both patients and physicians. The study suggests that patient opinions on app quality correlated poorly with physician ratings and consumer ratings from iOS and Android app stores.
Two new studies provide insights on how physicians can effectively evaluate patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic kidney disease. Researchers developed and evaluated improved measures, including a computer-adaptive survey that saves time and is relevant to individual patients.
A new analysis shows that men are affected by kidney failure much more often than women, with a 2.7 times higher incidence in older patients. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing blood pressure through exercise and losing weight, may help prevent kidney function decline.
A multinational collaboration study on familial primary distal renal tubular acidosis found that patients with adequate treatment had better growth and kidney function compared to those with inadequate treatment. The study, which included data from 340 patients across 29 countries, also highlighted the importance of controlling acid-ba...
A study reveals that nephrologists treat the most complex patients, with kidney disease patients having the highest number of comorbidities and medication needs. The findings highlight the need for better financial funding and awareness for kidney diseases in European healthcare systems.
A study found that peritoneal dialysis clinical trials frequently disregard the most important outcomes for patients and caregivers. The researchers conducted focus groups with 81 patients and 45 caregivers from Australia, the US, and Hong Kong to identify their top priorities.
A recent study has found that nephrologists often lack confidence in managing various women's health issues, including menstrual disorders and menopause. The survey of 154 nephrologists revealed inconsistent documentation of obstetric history, highlighting the need for improved patient-centered care.
Nephrologists and health policy experts advocate for greater transparency in joint-venture dialysis clinics to ensure patient referrals and clinical outcomes are not influenced by financial ties. The lack of disclosure poses a significant barrier to evidence-based research, depriving patients of critical information.
Researchers found that extending specialized care to patients with advanced kidney disease before their kidneys fail could save the US healthcare system more than $1 billion annually. Improving care coordination among these patients is crucial for reducing costs and improving health outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that black and Hispanic veterans with chronic kidney disease are more likely to progress to advanced kidney disease despite equal access to nephrologist care. Genetic or environmental factors, such as APOL1 mutations, may be central to these disparities.
A new study aims to clarify the role of the APOL1 gene in predicting kidney-transplant failure. By genotyping deceased and living African-American donors and recipients, researchers hope to determine if high-risk variants can replace race as a risk factor for discarded kidneys.
A new study reveals that oral antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of developing kidney stones, particularly among children. The risk remains elevated several years after antibiotic use, highlighting the importance of reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure.
A new study suggests that multidisciplinary care programs for patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) are likely to be cost-effective. The study estimates that such programs add 0.23 quality-adjusted life years over usual care, with a cost of $51,285 per QALY gained.
Hemodialysis patients are vulnerable to life-threatening infections that can spread to others in dialysis facilities. A series of articles highlights the urgency of preventing these infections, emphasizing the need for evidence-based practices and leadership from nephrologists.
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.
Research highlights the need for better nutritional management in chronic kidney disease, where high protein diets may have deleterious impacts on kidney health. A low protein, low salt diet may slow progression and help patients defer dialysis initiation.
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 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.
The committee's efforts focus on increasing the number of sites hosting research studies, expanding potential study volunteers, and reducing duplicated efforts. By leveraging public-private partnerships, they aim to develop effective medicines for children with kidney disease.
A new approach to assess renal function in term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy identifies early stages of AKI. Approximately 69% of infants did not develop kidney failure, while 19% showed a slower serum creatinine decline rate matching those with established AKI.
Charuhas Thakar, a leading expert on acute kidney injury (AKI), has addressed the treatment challenges of AKI as a guest editor for the Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease Journal. Thakar emphasizes the need to view AKI not only as a patient-centric issue but also as a systems quality issue that affects the entire healthcare system.
A new clinical decision support tool calculates and displays kidney failure risk based on criteria identified from a large cohort study. The tool automatically calculates and displays a risk score within the health record, making it easier for physicians to spot disease progression and take action.
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 new study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that young women have poorer transplant outcomes compared to young men, while women over 45 have similar or better outcomes. The research suggests personalized immunosuppression strategies based on age and sex could improve graft success.
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.
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.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects one-third of the population, with 9 out of 10 people unaware of their condition. The Global Kidney Health Atlas highlights gaps in care and prevention worldwide, with many countries not prioritizing kidney health.
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.
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 study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that women with a history of acute kidney injury have a higher risk of adverse outcomes during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and preterm delivery. Despite normal kidney function before pregnancy, these women were more likely to develop complications.
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 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.
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.
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.
A multinational study found that nearly one-fourth of children admitted to pediatric intensive care units worldwide develop acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases the risk of death. The study also revealed that severe AKI is associated with an increased need for mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy, highlighting the...
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.
Researchers found no association between sex and risk of kidney damage when analyzing studies that took patient characteristics into account. Women are more likely to develop kidney damage following cardiovascular surgery, but this link is disputed when adjusting for comorbidities.