Articles tagged with Nephrology
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Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified a genetic mutation that causes congenital malformations of the kidney and urinary tract. The findings suggest that DSTYK mutations account for 2.2% of urinary tract defects in humans, providing a new diagnostic category for clinicians to make precise molecular diagnoses.
A study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that African-Americans with Medicaid are significantly less likely to receive living kidney transplants compared to those with private insurance. This disparity is attributed to various factors, including limited access to living donors and resources.
A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that doctors treating patients with kidney failure are reluctant to discuss a difficult prognosis, leading to distorted expectations about probable outcomes. The study suggests improved communication could help with end of life decision making.
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 found that patients with severe acute kidney injury who see a nephrologist within 90 days of discharge have a 24% lower risk of dying. The benefit was most pronounced in individuals without prior specialist care, suggesting earlier follow-up may mitigate adverse events and improve outcomes.
A study has found that slower walking speed is associated with increased mortality risk in kidney disease patients. The research suggests that lower extremity physical performance tests may help identify those at higher risk of premature death.
A study found that among individuals with diabetes, those with both diabetes and kidney disease have a mortality rate of 31.1%, compared to 11.5% for those with diabetes but without kidney disease. Preventing and treating kidney disease in diabetics may be crucial to reducing mortality risk.
A study published by UCSF found that acute kidney injuries have doubled over the last decade, from 222 to 533 cases per million people. The total number of deaths associated with acute kidney injury also more than doubled during this time, from 18,000 in 2000 to nearly 39,000 in 2009.
The most severe form of acute kidney injury has seen a significant increase in incidence rates, with deaths associated with the condition also rising. The study highlights the need for further research into the causes behind this trend and potential interventions to reduce its impact.
Home hemodialysis could enable patients to increase their dialysis frequency, potentially providing a survival benefit. Increased physician and patient education can eliminate barriers to its adoption.
A study found that nearly half of Canadians view financial incentives for deceased kidney donation as acceptable. Lower-income individuals were not more likely to donate for financial gain, according to the researchers. The study suggests that financial incentives may increase donations from both living and deceased donors.
The American Society of Nephrology has identified five recommendations for reducing unnecessary medical interventions, including avoiding routine cancer screening and administering erythropoiesis stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease patients. By implementing these guidelines, healthcare costs can be lowered and patient care imp...
A study found that off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is likely safer than on-pump surgery for chronic kidney disease patients, cutting down on kidney injuries after heart surgery. CKD patients undergoing on-pump surgery were more than three times as likely to die or need dialysis compared to those who received off-pump surgery.
Researchers found that teenagers with abnormally high uric acid levels were twice as likely to have high blood pressure. Elevated uric acid persisted even after adjusting for other factors, suggesting it may be an independent driver of high blood pressure.
A US policy instituted in 2005 has reduced racial disparities in kidney transplantation among children, allowing more kids from diverse backgrounds to receive deceased donor kidneys. The study found that Share 35 has attenuated racial disparities in terms of how likely and how soon children will receive a deceased-donor kidney transplant.
A recent study by John Gill and colleagues found that the age of a live donor between 18 to 64 years has minimal effect on the survival of transplanted kidneys. This finding suggests that patients over 39 years old may benefit from participating in living donor paired exchange programs or kidney swaps.
Most Medicare beneficiaries with kidney failure (64%) participate in Part D coverage, with 72% receiving financial assistance. Those without assistance often opt for more expensive plans due to the need for intensive medication therapy.
Researchers identified biomarkers in blood and urine that predict which patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) following heart surgery will experience worsening kidney function. Testing for these markers soon after surgery may help protect patients' kidneys.
A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that weight-loss surgery is safe for chronic kidney disease patients who are obese, with complication rates below 10%. Maintaining weight loss remains challenging for CKD patients due to limited exercise abilities and eligibility restrictions for kidney transplants.
Home-based dialysis treatments for kidney failure are gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The study found a significant increase in peritoneal dialysis patients in these regions, driven by lower costs and easier access to care.
A new study finds that solar-powered hemodialysis can reduce power costs by up to 76.5% and generate effectively free energy. The researchers advocate for implementing water conservation and waste management systems in dialysis programs to further reduce environmental impact.
A study found that treating anemia in kidney transplant recipients slows the progression of kidney failure and improves survival of transplanted kidneys. Completely correcting anemia resulted in fewer patients developing kidney failure and more functional transplanted kidneys.
A study found that acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among military personnel with burns and wounds sustained during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study also revealed a significant increase in mortality rates among patients with AKI, with death rates ranging from 0.2% to 65.1%. By preventing or modifying kidney injury, research...
Research finds that ACE inhibitors and ARBs have different effects on heart health in dialysis patients, with some benefiting from one over the other. The findings emphasize the need for tailored treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of long-term clinical trials.
Patients with persistent kidney injuries often remain at increased risk of developing kidney disease in the future. Despite this, most patients do not receive specialized care from a kidney specialist within a year after their injury.
A new study by the American Society of Nephrology found that sitagliptin is safer and just as effective as glipizide in managing type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Patients taking sitagliptin also tend to lose weight, while those on glipizide often gain weight.
Researchers found that intensive diabetes therapy can preserve kidney function in patients with type 1 diabetes, preventing impaired kidney function and kidney failure. The study's results demonstrate the importance of maintaining good glucose control early in the course of type 1 diabetes to prevent long-term kidney complications.
A new study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that individuals over 70 years old can safely donate a kidney without compromising their health. The organs from these elderly donors last as long as those from younger deceased donors, but not as long as those from younger living donors.
Researchers found that patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis have elevated levels of the protein Flt1, which hinders blood vessel repair. This impairment contributes to disease progression and increases the risk of kidney failure in these patients. Inhibiting Flt1 may help improve blood vessel repair and reduce this risk.
Researchers identified additional gene mutations that worsen polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and contribute to early and severe symptoms in affected children. Genetic testing may help identify children at risk for this condition, enabling early intervention and therapy development.
A new Medicare payment system may unfairly penalize dialysis clinics that provide care to patients with complex medical and social issues. The study found that patient characteristics, particularly adherence to prescribed treatments, significantly impact a facility's achievement of the pay-for-performance measure.
Researchers found that small vesicles called exosome-like vesicles (ELVs) are involved in transporting signals through urine and interacting with primary cilia in the kidneys. This discovery may help understand how gene mutations cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a condition that often leads to kidney failure.
A recent study found that public reporting of transplant centers' success rates has not improved care for patients, with wide gaps remaining between the best and worst clinics. The new method revealed that gaps persisted after public reporting was introduced in 2001, missing potential improvements in patient outcomes.
A new study found that transplant patients can safely minimize calcineurin inhibitors, reducing toxicity while preventing organ rejection in the short-to-medium period after transplantation. The strategy improves kidney function without causing rejection, offering a safer alternative for some patients.
A new study suggests that equations estimating kidney function can work as well as direct measurements, allowing patients with chronic kidney disease to avoid painful and invasive procedures. The study found that kidney function estimates linked as tightly to complications as direct measurements, refuting the conventional view that dir...
A new study found that African Americans are more likely to develop kidney failure due to high levels of protein in the urine. The study analyzed data from 27,911 individuals and found that African Americans were four times more likely to develop kidney failure than whites.
People with metabolic syndrome have a 55% increased risk of developing kidney problems, especially lower kidney function. Preventing and managing metabolic syndrome through healthy diet, exercise, and weight loss may help prevent kidney disease.
A new study found that a combination of two immunosuppressive drugs, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, led to less organ rejection and better kidney function in patients after kidney transplant. The results suggest that this regimen is the safest and most effective option for long-term success.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that low blood pressure during dialysis significantly increases the risk of blood clotting at vascular access points. Researchers discovered that patients who experienced frequent episodes of low blood pressure were twice as likely to develop a clotted ...
David J. Friedman, MD, a clinician and researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, has received a three-year Clinical Scientist Development Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The award will support his research into the genetic factors that lead to kidney disease in African Americans.
In a breakthrough study, three young children with severe hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) after an EHEC infection have been successfully treated with eculizumab. The treatment, which targets the immune system's destructive reactions, led to dramatic improvements in kidney function and neurological disorders.
The US medical workforce is facing a kidney brain drain as fewer students adopt nephrology as a career. Despite the growing health problem of kidney disease, many students believe nephrologists are overworked and underpaid. However, experts propose strategies to improve interest in nephrology, including providing stimulating experience...
A study found that 16% of dialysis patients have limited health literacy, with those having lower educational levels and certain racial/ethnic groups more affected. This limitation can impact patient adherence to treatment and overall kidney health outcomes.
Russell Chesney, a pediatric nephrologist, has received the prestigious John Howland Medal for his significant contributions to pediatrics. He is also known for his research on amino acid taurine and its role in transport by renal epithelial cells.
A new study by the American Society of Nephrology found that ramipril lowers the risk of kidney disease progression in all weight groups, but shows a significant reduction in obese patients. Obese patients with kidney disease progress more quickly towards renal failure compared to non-obese patients.
A study found that daily home hemodialysis significantly improved restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms and sleep disturbances in dialysis patients. The treatment reduced RLS-related symptoms by over 12 months, leading to lasting improvements.
A study found that depression is associated with a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease and rapid decline in kidney function. Depression was also linked to increased hospitalizations due to acute kidney injury, even after adjusting for other medical factors.
A study found racial disparities in kidney transplantation rates, with non-Hispanic whites and Asians receiving transplants at higher rates. Barriers to transplantation vary among racial and ethnic groups, including socioeconomic factors and regional organ availability.
A recent study found significant disparities between the race of kidney disease patients and physicians who care for them. Increasing diversity among kidney specialists could improve patient trust and care. Recruiting more African Americans into nephrology training programs may alleviate health disparities in ESRD patients.
Mutations in INF2 gene are a major cause of autosomal dominant FSGS, leading to kidney failure. Screening for INF2 mutations may be warranted in patients with an autosomal dominant familial history.
A study found that most primary care physicians and kidney specialists prefer shared care for patients with progressive chronic kidney disease, but their preferences on how and when to collaborate differ. Effective collaboration is crucial in slowing CKD progression or preparing patients for dialysis or transplantation.
A study finds that MCP-1 protein contributes to dialysis AV fistula failure. Researchers suggest using MCP-1 blockers as a possible therapeutic approach to promote AV fistula maturation and function.
Research highlights disparities in kidney donation, particularly among low-income individuals and black patients. Efforts are needed to minimize barriers and increase access to transplant care for underrepresented groups.
Researchers analyzed data from a nationwide study of over 5,200 adults and found that African Americans have faster rates of decline in kidney function compared to white Americans. Hispanic participants also showed faster declines, but with varying effects by country of origin.
A study by Elizabeth Hedgeman and colleagues found that earlier nephrologist care is associated with lower ESRD incidence and improved patient outcomes. Patients who received recommended care were in better health, more prepared for dialysis, and had a 40% lower risk of death during the first year after developing ESRD.
A recent study by LA BioMed researchers found that children with higher waist circumferences are more likely to have cardiac risk factors, including significantly higher pulse pressures. This suggests that pediatricians should add waist measurements to their routine screening of children to identify those at risk for heart disease.
A study of over 5,200 adults found that those with mildly decreased sodium levels had a higher rate of fractures, despite no difference in bone mineral density. Screening for low sodium concentration may be an important new strategy to prevent fractures.
A study found that pomegranate juice reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to fewer hospitalizations due to infections. It also improved cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting better heart health for hemodialysis patients.
Patients with end-stage renal disease admitted on weekends experience delays in dialysis treatment and have a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those admitted during the week. The study highlights the need to redesign hospital staffing models to improve staff and dialysis availability over weekends.
A new urine test has shown promise in detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) by identifying specific markers in the urine. Elevated levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and its mRNA were found in urine samples from both mice and human patients with AKI, suggesting a potential diagnostic marker.