Articles tagged with Kidney
Researchers found a specific gene mutation that increases the risk of adverse side effects from immunosuppressive drugs used in kidney transplants. The study suggests a genetic approach to personalized screening and drug dosing could reduce toxicity and rejection risk in pediatric patients.
Patients with mild to severe kidney dysfunction require lower warfarin doses and closer monitoring due to increased bleeding risk. Warfarin dose is significantly affected by kidney function, even after accounting for genetics.
Researchers found that aldosterone levels were directly correlated with blood pressure levels and related changes in blood vessel function. Higher aldosterone levels were also associated with lower kidney blood flow and greater extremity blood vessel stiffness.
A study found that individuals with high urinary protein levels are at increased risk of developing kidney disease. Screening for albuminuria in the general population or high-risk groups could help prevent kidney function loss and related health issues.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE found that women who drink two or more cans of soda per day are nearly twice as likely to show early signs of kidney disease. The study also did not find an elevated risk for men or diet soda consumption.
A study found that measuring NGAL in blood and urine can predict which patients with non-advanced chronic kidney disease will progress to a more serious form of the disease. High NGAL levels are associated with worsening kidney function, and both urinary and blood NGAL measurements predicted CKD progression.
Measuring glomerular filtration rates from routine blood work may not be a cost-effective way to identify people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The test can lead to 11,348 more false positive CKD cases than serum creatinine reporting.
Researchers have found that female hormones play a crucial role in the body's ability to regulate salt levels, potentially explaining why women are less prone to salt-sensitive hypertension. The study suggests that estrogen drives the beneficial action of ETA receptors, which increase sodium excretion without increasing blood pressure.
A Stanford study establishes a method for projecting future kidney function, which could improve transplant outcomes for older kidneys. The research found that older kidneys perform only 70% as well as younger ones and contain fewer functioning glomeruli.
Researchers developed nomograms to predict long-term kidney transplant success and refine patient selection for living donor transplants. The models analyzed over 20,000 cases and identified key donor and recipient characteristics impacting transplant outcomes.
A new formula estimates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using demographic variables and biochemical markers, providing a valuable tool for pediatricians to monitor kidney function. The equation was found to be comparable with more complicated tests and superior to other recently published equations.
A new urine test can detect polyomavirus nephropathy, affecting up to 9% of kidney transplant recipients, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment. The noninvasive test measures viral aggregates in the urine, offering a faster and more affordable alternative to invasive kidney biopsies.
A study published in PLoS Medicine suggests that elderly people with damaged kidneys are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, including heart failure and stroke. Lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems in these individuals.
A Johns Hopkins study found that HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients can achieve one-year survival rates comparable to those without HIV, provided key risk factors for transplant failure are recognized and controlled. The study's results reflect the impact of newer antiretroviral therapies on reducing HIV-related deaths.
A study found that women over 45 are significantly less likely to be placed on a kidney transplant list than their male counterparts, even though they have an equal chance of survival. The likelihood of being listed decreased incrementally with increasing age, from 3% for women aged 46-55 to 59% for those over 75.
Younger women have equivalent access to kidney transplants as their male counterparts. However, older women receive transplants significantly less frequently than older men. The study found that for every age group analyzed, women had a similar or slightly higher survival benefit from transplantation compared to men.
A phase I clinical trial found rosiglitazone to be safe and well-tolerated in patients with FSGS, suggesting its potential as a treatment option. The study showed that serum albumin and kidney filtration rates affected the drug's activity, warranting further investigation.
A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that patients with poor health literacy are less likely to receive kidney transplants. Roughly one-third of dialysis patients had inadequate health literacy, which hindered their ability to navigate healthcare systems and follow transplant instructions.
A study comparing two immunosuppression tapering approaches for kidney transplant recipients with BKVAN found that reducing immunosuppressive therapy can lower the risk of graft loss. Early withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs within one month after diagnosis reduced graft loss by two-thirds.
A noninvasive test analyzing proteins in urine can identify failing transplanted kidneys, allowing for more accurate monitoring and treatment of transplant patients. The study found that the test correctly identified patients with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy and chronic antibody-mediated rejection.
A study found a correlation between genetic variations in donor-recipient HLA protein matches and increased risk of delayed allograft function. Researchers hope to validate their findings with larger datasets to improve matching and reduce complications.
Individuals born with very low birth weights are at higher risk of developing secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a condition that causes scarring in the kidneys. This association highlights the importance of considering birth history in adult patients to prevent misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.
A study found that acute kidney injury increases the risk of end-stage renal disease among elderly patients, highlighting the importance of close monitoring and timely interventions.
Researchers have generated a comprehensive genetic blueprint of a forming mammalian organ, shedding light on the genetic and molecular dynamics of kidney development. The study found overlapping gene expression between different structures, revealing a more complex picture than previously thought.
The Declaration of Istanbul sets forth recommendations to prevent organ trafficking, including programs to prevent organ failure and maximize deceased donation. Organ trafficking has been linked to increased post-transplant complications and a higher incidence of acute rejection and severe infections.
A study of 2025 women who donated kidneys found that female kidney donors do not face increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth or gestational diabetes. While post-donation pregnancies had higher rates of certain health conditions, these were comparable to those in the general population.
Researchers at the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting found that stent placement does not improve kidney function or blood pressure in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease. The ASTRAL trial, involving over 800 patients, showed no clinically worthwhile benefits from revascularization.
A newly developed equation estimates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) more accurately than the widely used Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation, especially at higher GFR levels. The CKD-EPI equation was validated using data from over 8,000 patients and shows lower bias compared to the MDRD equation.
Individuals with kidney stones are at a 60% greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new study. Researchers recommend careful monitoring of stone formers and appropriate treatment when needed.
A study of over 5,300 live kidney donors found that obesity was common among donors, particularly those from African- and Hispanic-American backgrounds. Obese donors were more likely to develop hypertension prior to and after donation, but did not experience worse kidney function compared to non-obese donors.
Kidney transplant wait times vary widely across the US, with some patients waiting just one year and others up to 10 years. Experts will discuss issues and possible solutions for these inequities in organ allocation policies.
Researchers found improved cognitive function in transplant patients, particularly in verbal learning and memory. In contrast, dialysis patients showed declining test scores over time. The study suggests that kidney transplantation may have a beneficial effect on patients' mental function.
A study found that African-Americans in Canada have better health outcomes after receiving a kidney transplant compared to their US counterparts. Despite lower access to transplants, African-American Canadians experienced similar kidney survival rates and longer overall survival rates than Caucasians.
Researchers have identified molecular signals causing abnormal changes in the peritoneum, a lining used in peritoneal dialysis. Disrupting these signals may help maintain PD's effectiveness and offer new hope for former PD patients seeking alternative treatments.
A polymeric drug developed by University of Alberta researcher David Bundle binds to the E. coli toxin, preventing it from affecting the kidneys and causing life-threatening damage.
Researchers propose new ultrasound screening criteria to diagnose autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), which may misdiagnose individuals with the milder form of the disease. The new criteria improve detection in individuals with mutations in either PKD1 or PKD2 genes.
A new study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati shows that eliminating steroid therapy as early as seven days following a transplant surgery maintains kidney function. The study found reduction in steroid-related complications, even when prednisone was given in very low doses.
A study found that US residents traveling abroad for kidney transplants experienced higher rates of acute rejection and severe infections. The study, which included 33 transplant tourists and 66 comparison patients, noted significant differences in infection types and severities.
A study of 1,500 kidney cancer patients suggests that tissue-sparing surgery may improve overall survival in patients with reduced kidney function. The finding highlights the underuse of this option and raises concerns about the potential harm of removing healthy kidney tissue.
Research found that kidneys from older donors exhibit a 32% depression in glomerular filtration rate, leading to shortened survival after transplantation. The study suggests that selecting organs with more functioning glomeruli could improve graft survival rates.
Kidney transplant specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed innovative laboratory techniques to improve opportunities for highly sensitized patients. The new technology uses solid phase assays to predict patient risk and improve transplant success rates.
Researchers investigate how high blood pressure affects tiny kidney filters, known as glomeruli. They believe that damaged kidney filters worsen hypertension and that inflammation plays a crucial role in the process.
Scientists have identified a site where sodium regulates specific potassium ion channels, which could lead to new approaches in drug design. The findings may help understand the mechanisms involved in ion channel gating and its relevance to hypertension.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine have created a highly specific inhibitor, TPNLQ, that selectively blocks potassium channels in kidneys, opening a new avenue for treating hypertension. This breakthrough could provide a potential new approach to reducing salt reabsorption and lower blood pressure.
Dialysis patients with depression are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized or die within a year compared to those without depression. The study found that more than 80% of depressed patients died or were hospitalized, while only 43% of non-depressed patients experienced these outcomes.
A study published in JAMA found that using sodium bicarbonate for hydration during coronary angiography does not reduce the risk of developing serious kidney problems compared to using sodium chloride. The results suggest that there is little difference in outcomes between the two hydration strategies.
A new study found that combining two commonly used blood pressure medications, ACE inhibitors and ARBs, reduces urine protein levels more than taking either medication alone. However, it also causes more kidney damage and a higher risk of death among high-risk patients.
A study found that rituximab significantly reduces kidney injury in patients with membranous nephropathy, reversing functional and biological abnormalities. The treatment achieved complete remission in 10 patients, including significant healing of kidney damage.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking procedure using tailor-made regulatory cells to avoid lifelong drug use for transplant patients. The technique shows promising findings and has been tested in clinical trials on 17 kidney transplant patients, with encouraging results.
The American Society of Nephrology discusses the merits of using eGFR for early detection and treatment of CKD, highlighting concerns about misclassification and universal screening. Experts emphasize the need for education and proper use of eGFR to ensure accurate diagnosis and management.
Black patients receiving kidneys from black cardiac donors showed better long-term survival compared to those receiving non-black donor kidneys. The study suggests that increased utilization of kidneys donated after cardiac death can help reduce racial disparities in kidney transplantation.
A study found that patients receiving kidney transplants who took statin drugs had better survival rates compared to those who did not. Statin therapy was associated with a 36% lower risk of death in renal transplant recipients.
A new therapy developed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center improves transplant rates and outcomes for patients awaiting living- and deceased-donor kidney transplantation. The combination of IVIG and rituximab offers superior benefits to IVIG alone, improving transplant rates to 80 percent of treated patients.
A recent study challenges previous findings on iodinated contrast material's effect on kidney function. It found that serum creatinine levels change frequently in patients without receiving contrast material, rendering prior studies' conclusions questionable.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center predict that global warming will cause a 30% growth in kidney-stone cases by 2050, with an additional 1.6-2.2 million new cases. Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stones, and warmer temperatures are expected to exacerbate this effect.
A new design for an automated, wearable artificial kidney eliminates complications of traditional dialysis. The device functions continuously, providing cleansing and fluid balance on a continuous basis, and regenerates and reuses spent dialysate to minimize protein loss.
A study found that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were less likely to use recommended medications after a heart attack, but 1-year adherence rates were similar for both groups. Rates of medication use varied significantly among different types of drugs.
A new analysis of kidney transplant data found that male kidneys function better in men than women, who have a higher risk of rejection. The study, based on almost 200,000 cases, suggests that gender should be considered when allocating donor kidneys.
A retrospective cohort study found complex gender interactions in kidney transplantation outcomes, with female donors having a higher rate of graft loss and female recipients experiencing a lower rate of graft failure. The study suggests considering sex in future studies and decisions on organ allocation to optimize transplant success.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones as early as three months post-operation. The study suggests a possible link between the surgical procedure and changes in urinary electr...