Articles tagged with Nephrology
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.
A recent study published in Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that acute kidney injury is associated with higher mortality rates compared to heart attacks. Patients who experienced both conditions had a significantly higher risk of death.
Recent study published in Neural Regeneration Research shows that Chinese medicines used for tonifying the kidney can protect nerve cells by regulating apoptosis-related factors and neurotrophic factors. Herba Epimedii and Herba Cistanches were found to be effective in inhibiting dopaminergic neuron apoptosis.
First responders at Ground Zero experienced significant kidney damage after exposure to particulate matter. The study found a linear trend between level of exposure and measures of poor kidney function.
A study of US nephrologists reveals that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) often do not receive sufficient follow-up care, despite being critically ill. The survey found that only one in five patients seen in clinics for AKI follow-up received reliable transition of care services after hospital discharge.
A new study found that consuming more vegetable protein is associated with a 14% lower risk of death in kidney disease patients. The study, which analyzed data from 1,104 CKD patients, suggests that increasing vegetable protein intake may help prolong survival among those with chronic kidney disease.
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%.
Research suggests that many high-risk organs are safe and should not be labeled as such. After a median of 2.4 years, 86.5% of transplants from these donors were functioning without evidence of infections. The study challenges the CDC's current classification system.
A study found that Hispanics are less likely to receive a kidney transplant, despite being equally likely to be placed on the waitlist as non-Hispanic whites. The disparity is largely attributed to differences in patient blood type and regional variability of organ supply.
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that individuals with type 2 diabetes and normal kidney function who have persistent albuminuria (protein in the urine) are at a greater risk for cognitive decline. The study, which followed 2977 diabetics over four to five years, showed that t...
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 by the American Society of Nephrology found that moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) costs Medicare tens of billions of dollars each year. The study estimated that Medicare spending attributable to CKD stages 2 through 4 is likely to exceed $48 billion per year, with costs ranging from $1700 to $12,700 per person per year.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.