Articles tagged with Nephrology
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is convening a Summit on the Nephrology Workforce to address the growing crisis in kidney care. The summit aims to increase interest in nephrology careers, particularly among underrepresented minorities and women.
A new registry based on electronic health records could help physicians improve care for patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease. The registry, developed at the Cleveland Clinic, houses information on 57,276 CKD patients and has been validated as reliable for tracking disease progression.
A decade of research has led to significant advances in treating lupus nephritis, with improved classification and new treatment regimens reducing side effects. New therapies targeting specific components of the immune system have also shown promise, including rituximab and ocrelizumab.
A new study has found a strong association between low birth weight and poor growth rate in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The research, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, analyzed data from over 400 children with CKD and found that those born with lower birth weights were more likely ...
Dialysis patients can reduce their risk of hospitalization by addressing depression and physical inactivity, and modifying blood access from catheters to arteriovenous access. A recent study found that converting to arteriovenous access reduced hospitalization risk by about 30%.
Characteristics such as patient engagement, physician communication, and staff coordination contribute to higher dialysis center survival rates. Top-performing centers also report stronger interpersonal relationships and more resourceful dietitians.
A study found that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher serum phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of race. This suggests that limited access to healthy food choices contributes to the racial disparity in kidney disease progression.
A DASH-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urinary volume and citrate levels. The study suggests that a DASH-style diet could be an effective way to reduce the risk of kidney stone recurrence.
A study reveals that individuals with prior non-kidney organ transplants are more likely to be listed for a kidney transplant before dialysis initiation. This trend adds to the list of organ allocation challenges, as these patients have higher waitlist mortality rates and shorter lifespans compared to those with prior kidney transplants.
Researchers discovered that patients with high levels of albuminuria have a significantly increased risk of developing acute kidney injury, highlighting the importance of monitoring kidney function. By recognizing these warning signs, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent preventable forms of acute kidney injury.
Researchers found that discontinuing epoetin was more effective than reducing dose in normalizing hemoglobin levels, but also increased risk of lower-than-recommended levels. Study results suggest a balance between administering epoetin and achieving target hemoglobin levels is necessary for kidney disease patients.
A study found pronounced regional differences in treatment practices for older adults with kidney failure, including decisions on starting or stopping dialysis. Higher-spending regions tend to have more intensive care, but patients don't necessarily fare better.
A study found individuals with high resting heart rates and low beat-to-beat heart rate variability have a higher risk of developing kidney disease. The autonomic nervous system's behavior may be a sentinel marker for late-stage kidney disease.
Researchers identified a previously unknown genetic location on chromosome 2p causing familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a common cause of kidney failure worldwide. The discovery may provide clues to disease mechanisms and lead to identification of specific and less toxic therapies.
A study found that patients living in predominantly black areas are less likely to receive pre-dialysis kidney care from a specialist, despite having declining kidney function. The researchers investigated the effect of residential area racial composition on access to and quality of kidney-related care before starting dialysis.
A new study reveals that allopurinol treatment can slow the progression of kidney disease, decrease inflammation, and lower cardiovascular risk. The analysis suggests a potential benefit for chronic kidney disease patients, but further trials are needed to confirm these findings.
The incidence of calcium-alkali syndrome is rising due to widespread use of over-the-counter calcium supplements. Limiting daily intake to 1.2-1.5 grams can prevent the condition.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that a low kidney-to-recipient-weight ratio increases the risk of transplant failure, inadequate filtration, and other complications. The research suggests that matching kidney weight to recipient weight could improve transplantation success rates.
Despite high rates of sexual dysfunction among CKD patients, little is known about effective treatments. The review found that drug treatment was helpful for male patients with erectile dysfunction but few studies evaluated safety and side effects in CKD patients.
The study found that 58.9% of kidney transplant candidates would accept a kidney from a donor at increased risk of viral infection under some conditions, while 17.7% always accepted them. Patients on dialysis and older patients more commonly accepted such kidneys.
A new study found that automated laboratory reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was associated with a significant increase in first-time visits to a kidney specialist, especially among older or female patients and those at increased risk of late detection of kidney disease. The rate of visits increased by 68% for pa...
A study found that most kidney donors (86%) and recipients (80%) want to share personal health information that may influence transplant success. However, healthcare professionals are more conservative, with only 61% in favor of sharing donor info in incompatible exchanges.
A recent study highlights the disproportionate burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on younger minority adults receiving medical care in healthcare safety net settings. The study found that poor, minority adults with moderate to severe CKD are two to four times more likely to progress to kidney failure than non-Hispanic whites.
An international group of experts has developed a uniform classification system for diabetic nephropathy, categorizing the condition into four progressive classes to guide clinicians and researchers. The new system aims to standardize definitions of different classes and improve reporting of cases among medical centers.
A study found that kidney transplant recipients with high levels of T-regulatory cells and low Natural Killer cells are at a higher risk for skin cancer, which can occur after ten years of immunosuppressive drugs.
A study of nearly 2000 healthy adults found that kidney abnormalities occur in at least 25% of the population. Most abnormalities were mild and not causing discomfort, but future research is needed to determine their impact on long-term health.
A study published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) who did not require dialysis had a significantly higher risk of death over two years compared to those without AKI. The risk was even higher for patients with more severe AKI and returned to normal after discharge.
Researchers found that dialysis patients with very low body fat are at a higher risk of death compared to those with average or high body fat percentage. The study suggests that body fat may be protective for dialysis patients and contradicts the 'obesity paradox' theory.
A new study presents evidence that high sodium intake and artificial sweetener consumption are associated with a faster rate of decline in kidney function. The research, conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital, analyzed data from over 3,000 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study.
A study models a 100 patient dialysis center and a program with 7,500 hemodialysis patients, finding that improved survival increases costs by $5 million over 10 years and $400 million over the same period. Research into less costly treatments could help address these concerns.
A study found that dialysis patients who travel on vacation risk infections, anemia, and other complications. Travelers are advised to take extra precautions to minimize these risks.
A recent study published in the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition found that kidney transplant survival rates vary by donor race, with non-black recipients experiencing lower survival rates when transplanted with black donors.
Group education of patients' relatives and friends can improve their willingness to consider kidney donation. The study found that group discussions increased the number of potential donors among participants.
Researchers found that patients with higher kidney function at the time of transplant did not have a significant advantage in terms of long-term health. However, they did require less dialysis and were less likely to experience kidney rejection after transplantation.
A new study suggests that the proposed bundled payment system for dialysis could have a significant impact on dialysis units nationwide. The research found that facilities in certain regions, particularly the south and east, are likely to face adverse financial consequences under the new plan.
A diet high in fructose increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. Studies found that consuming more than 74 grams per day of fructose led to a higher risk of hypertension, with significant associations seen across various blood pressure levels.
Long-term steroid abuse in bodybuilders led to severe kidney damage, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The condition causes scarring within the kidneys, similar to that seen in morbidly obese patients but with more severe effects.
The article suggests that nephrologists should consider the potential quality of life for frail elders with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when deciding between dialysis and conservative therapies. Larger studies are needed to determine the actual benefit of dialysis for this population.
Researchers have developed a reliable way for doctors to filter MEDLINE for relevant kidney patient information, improving treatment and outcomes. The new tool has high performance, exceeding 97% sensitivity and specificity, making it available for all healthcare professionals.
For kidney disease patients, regular physical activity may prolong life and reduce mortality risk. A recent study found that active patients were 56% less likely to die than inactive counterparts.