Filters close
26-Apr-2019 4:15 PM EDT
HHS and the American Society of NephrologyAward KidneyX Redesign Dialysis Phase 1Winners
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Chief Technology Officer and the American Society of Nephrology have selected 15 winning teams for Phase 1 of the KidneyX Redesign Dialysis prize competition. Through a series of prize competitions offering cash awards and other incentives, KidneyX aims to accelerate the development of innovative medical products and approaches that can significantly improve the way we prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney diseases.

19-Apr-2019 9:00 AM EDT
Following a Healthy Plant-Based diet May Lower Kidney Disease Risk
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• In middle-aged adults, following a healthy plant-based diet was linked with a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease. • Following an overall plant-based diet or a healthy plant-based diet was linked with experiencing a slower decline in kidney function.

12-Apr-2019 9:00 AM EDT
Investigators Incorporate Randomized Trial within Dialysis Care Delivery
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• The Time to Reduce Mortality in ESRD (TiME) trial was a large pragmatic trial demonstration project designed to determine the benefits of hemodialysis sessions that are longer than many patients currently receive. • The trial was conducted through a partnership between academic investigators and 2 large dialysis provider organizations using a highly centralized implementation approach. • Although the trial accomplished most of its demonstration project objectives, uptake of the intervention was insufficient to determine whether longer sessions improve outcomes.

Released: 18-Apr-2019 8:00 AM EDT
American Society of Nephrology Announces KidneyX Chair
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

John Sedor, MD, FASN to Lead Public-Private Kidney Care Innovation Accelerator

5-Apr-2019 9:00 AM EDT
Study Reveals New Genetic Factors Linked to Kidney Stones
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• A large genome-wide association study has identified 14 variants—including 9 new variants—at different locations in the genome that are linked to the development of kidney stones. • Four of the variants were related to obesity, high triglycerides, or high blood uric acid levels. The remaining 10 variants were associated with kidney- or electrolyte-related traits that might affect crystallization pathways that lead to kidney stone formation.

5-Apr-2019 9:00 AM EDT
Itchy Skin Affects the Health and Quality of Life of Many Patients with Kidney Disease
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• The prevalence of moderate-to-extreme pruritus in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease was 24% and was more likely in older patients, women, and in those with advanced kidney disease, among other health conditions. • More severe pruritus was associated with progressively poorer measures of quality of life and a higher likelihood of self-reported depression and restless sleep.

15-Mar-2019 9:00 AM EDT
Studies Examine Ways to Assess Quality of Life in Patients with Kidney Disease
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Two new studies provide insights on how physicians can effectively and efficiently evaluate patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life in individuals with kidney disease.

15-Mar-2019 9:00 AM EDT
Do Smartphone Apps Help Kidney Disease Patients Manage Their Disease?
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Very few apps related to chronic kidney disease are highly rated by patients or physicians • Patient ratings of smartphone apps related to managing kidney disease correlated poorly with both physician ratings and consumer ratings.

18-Mar-2019 1:05 PM EDT
ASN and AAKP Advocates are on Capitol Hill Urging Congress to Support KidneyX
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

Advocates from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) are meeting with representatives, senators, and their respective staffs today to urge Congress to support KidneyX, a public-private partnership to accelerate innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney diseases.

Released: 15-Mar-2019 2:05 PM EDT
Statement of American Society of Nephrology (ASN) President Mark E. Rosenberg, MD, FASN, on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar’s Announcement on Immunosuppressive Coverage for Kidney Transplants
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

On behalf of the more than 720,000 Americans with kidney failure whose lives depend on either a kidney transplant or dialysis to survive and their families, the 40 million Americans with kidney diseases, and the more than 20,000 ASN members who are physicians, scientists, nurses, and health professionals, ASN applauds the leadership of HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar, II, in confronting the issue of a three-year statutory restriction on Medicare coverage of immunosuppressant drugs following a kidney transplant. STATEMENT OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY (ASN) PRESIDENT MARK E. ROSENBERG, MD, FASN, ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) SECRETARY AZAR’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE COVERAGE FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS Washington, DC (March 15, 2019) – On behalf of the more than 720,000 Americans with kidney failure whose lives depend on either a kidney transplant or dialysis to survive and their families, the 40 million Americans with kidney diseases, and the more than 20,000 ASN members

8-Mar-2019 9:00 AM EST
Study Provides New Insights on Common Post-Transplant Condition
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• After examining comprehensive pathology findings and clinical, immunological, and outcome data pertaining to patients with transplant glomerulopathy, investigators identified 5 groups of patients with distinct features, as well as different outcomes in terms of survival rates of transplanted kidneys.

8-Mar-2019 9:00 AM EST
Poor Kidney Function Linked to Higher Cancer Risk
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

In a study of adults in Sweden, poor kidney function was linked with a higher risk of certain cancers, especially skin and urogenital cancers.

1-Mar-2019 9:50 AM EST
Secondhand Smoke Linked with Higher Kidney Disease Risk
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Exposure to secondhand smoke was linked with a higher prevalence of kidney disease, as well as development of incident kidney disease. • This association was present even at low levels of exposure.

1-Mar-2019 9:50 AM EST
Experimental Drug Lowers Serum Phosphate in Phase 3 Trial of Hemodialysis Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• In a phase 3 clinical trial, tenapanor significantly lowered elevated blood phosphate in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, resulting in an average reduction of 1.0–1.2 mg/dL over 8 weeks. • Side effects were largely limited to softening of stool and more frequent bowel movements.

Released: 4-Mar-2019 4:50 PM EST
Statement from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) President Mark E. Rosenberg, MD, FASN, on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar’s Remarks on Efforts to Improve Care for Kidney Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

On behalf of the 40 million Americans living with kidney diseases and their families and the more than 20,000 ASN members who are physicians, scientists, nurses, and health professionals, ASN applauds the bold vision and leadership of HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar II in establishing an HHS-wide comprehensive kidney strategy and wholeheartedly agree that “we’ve waited long enough. We just need renewed ambition and the right policies.

22-Feb-2019 5:00 PM EST
Generic Immunosuppressants Have Reduced Costs After Organ Transplantation
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Payments by organ transplant recipients and Medicare decreased significantly following the introduction of generic immunosuppressive medications. • Large differences in out-of-pocket payments for immunosuppressive medications between Part D beneficiaries who did and did not qualify for the Medicare low-income subsidy suggest that recipients with resources just above the threshold to qualify for the subsidy may experience considerable financial strain.

15-Feb-2019 9:00 AM EST
Evidence-Based Care May Improve Outcomes for Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• A set of interventions designed to improve care for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) was associated with reductions in length of hospital stay, shorter duration of AKI episodes, and an increase in AKI incidence that likely reflected improved recognition. • The intervention also led to improvements in several metrics related to AKI care, including AKI recognition, medication optimization, and fluid assessment by clinicians.

14-Feb-2019 11:05 AM EST
Study Examines End-of-Life Care for People with Kidney Failure who Undergo Amputation
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• People with kidney failure are nearly ten times as likely as other Medicare beneficiaries to undergo lower extremity amputation during their final year of life. • Despite having a poor prognosis, individuals with kidney failure who had a lower extremity amputation in their last year of life had a greater likelihood of admission to—and prolonged stays in—acute and subacute care settings during this time. They also were more likely to die in the hospital and discontinue dialysis, and to spend fewer days receiving hospice services.

8-Feb-2019 8:05 AM EST
Kidney Failure Patients Face Higher Risk of Cancer Death
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

In a population-based study, both patients on dialysis and those who received kidney transplants experienced over 2.5-times higher risks of cancer death than age- and sex-matched individuals without kidney failure.

1-Feb-2019 9:20 AM EST
CPR Can Save Lives in Dialysis Clinics, But It’s Underused
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• When kidney failure patients experienced cardiac arrest at outpatient dialysis facilities, CPR initiated by dialysis staff was associated with a better chance of survival but was only performed in 81% of cardiac arrest events. • Dialysis staff were more likely to initiate CPR within larger dialysis clinics, for male patients, and when cardiac arrests were witnessed.

30-Jan-2019 8:00 AM EST
Practices Related to Fluid Volume That Are Important for Dialysis Patients’ Health
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Certain practices in dialysis facilities related to managing fluid volume and low blood pressure during dialysis are important to patients’ health and survival.

25-Jan-2019 9:45 AM EST
Higher Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Linked to Lower Risk of Early Death for Dialysis Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Among kidney failure patients on hemodialysis, those who consumed higher amounts of fruits and vegetables had lower risks for dying prematurely—both from cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular causes.

24-Jan-2019 9:35 AM EST
Study Examines Barriers to Exercise Experienced by Dialysis Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Patients undergoing dialysis experience various barriers to exercise—predominately fatigue, shortness of breath, and weakness. • Patients were primarily interested in exercise as a mechanism to improve quality of life as opposed to reduce heart disease and hospitalization.

20-Jan-2019 9:05 AM EST
Seasonal Influenza Plays a Role in the Deaths of Many Kidney Failure Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Influenza-like illness was linked with seasonal variation in the death rates of US patients with kidney failure.

18-Jan-2019 9:00 AM EST
Frail Kidney Transplant Recipients Face Higher Risk of Cognitive Impairment
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Among kidney transplant recipients, cognitive performance improved significantly for both frail and nonfrail recipients by 3 months post-transplant. • Between 1 and 4 years post-transplant, improvements plateaued among nonfrail recipients, whereas cognitive function declined among frail recipients.

11-Jan-2019 9:25 AM EST
Gene Sequencing Approach May Help Tailor Treatments for Young Kidney Transplant Recipients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Whole-exome sequencing of blood or saliva revealed a genetic diagnosis of kidney disease in 32.7% of pediatric kidney transplant recipients. • The findings indicate that such a sequencing strategy may help individualize pre- and post-transplant care for many young kidney transplant recipients.

21-Dec-2018 9:00 AM EST
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Pattern Linked to Higher Kidney Disease Risk
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• In a study of African-American men and women with normal kidney function, a pattern of higher collective consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks, and water was associated with a higher risk of developing kidney disease.

14-Dec-2018 9:00 AM EST
Peritoneal Dialysis Trials Often Do Not Assess Priorities Most Important to Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Patients on peritoneal dialysis and their caregivers give high priority to clinical outcomes (such as infection and mortality) and many patient-reported outcomes (particularly fatigue and flexibility with time), which are absent in most trials in peritoneal dialysis.

10-Dec-2018 5:05 PM EST
Study Compares Dialysis Reimbursement Around the Globe
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Dialysis reimbursement policies in most countries are focused on conventional in-center hemodialysis, although home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis might contribute to quality of life and cost savings. • The reimbursement for dialysis in low- and middle-income countries is insufficient to treat all patients with kidney failure and has a disproportionately high impact on public health expenditure in those countries.

25-Nov-2018 5:05 PM EST
Study Reveals Facility-Level Variations in Diabetic Kidney Disease Care within the VA Health System
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Concerning adherence to certain recommended measures of kidney disease care for veterans with diabetes within the Veterans Affairs Health Care System, there is modest facility-level variation for some measures and larger facility-level variation for others.

9-Nov-2018 2:05 PM EST
Home-Based Visits Benefit Rural Patients with Kidney Disease
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• A pilot program delivered by community health representatives in the homes of patients with chronic kidney disease in Zuni Pueblo in rural New Mexico promoted patients’ active involvement in their own care. • The program also led to modest improvements in several clinical measures, including decreases in body mass index, blood glucose levels, and inflammation, and improved mental health quality of life.

26-Oct-2018 10:05 AM EDT
Study Points to Insurance-Related Disparities in Timely Access to Gold Standard Dialysis Procedure
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• In a study that compared uninsured patients starting hemodialysis with similar patients already covered by Medicare or Medicaid, patients with Medicare or Medicaid were more likely to receive dialysis through an arteriovenous fistula or graft by their fourth dialysis month. • Patients with Medicare at the start of dialysis also had fewer hospitalizations involving vascular access infection in dialysis months 4-12.

31-Oct-2018 10:05 AM EDT
American Society of Nephrology Announces 2019-2021 Kidney Health Initiative Co-Chair
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) today announced former ASN President Raymond C. Harris, Jr., MD, FASN, will serve as co-chair for its Kidney Health Initiative (KHI). Harris, a professor of medicine, molecular physiology, and biophysics, is Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease and former chief of the nephrology division of Vanderbilt University’s Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

22-Oct-2018 10:05 AM EDT
Mark E. Rosenberg to Become Next President of the American Society of Nephrology
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the world’s largest organization of kidney health professionals, has elected Mark E. Rosenberg, MD, FASN, as the next ASN President. Dr. Rosenberg officially assumes his role as ASN President during the society’s annual meeting, ASN Kidney Week 2018, the largest gathering of kidney care specialists in the world, and he will begin his term on January 1, 2019.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Frailty May Lower Kidney Failure Patients’ Likelihood of Receiving a Transplant
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Frailty is associated with decreased access at multiple stages in the pathway to kidney transplantation. Improvement in physical frailty may increase access to transplantation. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Does the US Discard too Many Transplantable Kidneys?
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• An analysis reveals that many transplanted kidneys in France would have likely been discarded in the United States. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Nephrologists May Need More Training in Women’s Health Issues
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Nephrologists often lack confidence in managing women’s health issues that may be related to kidney disease. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Proinflammatory Diet Linked to Higher Risk of Kidney Disease Progression
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Among patients with chronic kidney disease, individuals with pro-inflammatory diets had a higher risk of developing kidney failure. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Researchers Examine Prescription Opioid Use in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Individuals with kidney disease have a higher likelihood of using prescription opioids, and the prevalence of prescription opioid use in the chronic kidney disease population has increased in recent years. • Certain factors are associated with opioid drug use in patients with chronic kidney disease. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
More Frequent Home Hemodialysis Linked to Lower Risk of Death Compared with Traditional Hemodialysis
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Within one year after initiating dialysis, patients on more frequent home hemodialysis were 23% less likely to die compared with patients receiving traditional in-center hemodialysis. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

24-Oct-2018 10:35 AM EDT
High-Impact Clinical Trials Yield Results that Could Improve Kidney Care
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

The results of numerous high-impact clinical trials that could affect kidney-related medical care will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Certain Physical Disabilities May Affect Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Compared with kidney transplant recipients who did not report a disability, recipients with a visual disability were at higher risk of organ failure and recipients with a walking disability were at higher risk of early death. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Study Reveals Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation Outcomes
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• From 1995 to 2014, patient survival after kidney transplantation improved overall for pediatric recipients in the United States; however, racial/ethnic disparities in long-term survival worsened over time. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Acute Kidney Injury Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Patients with acute kidney injury had more than a 3-fold higher risk of developing dementia compared with those without acute kidney injury during a median follow-up time of 5.8 years. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Does Obesity Have an Impact on Kidney Transplant Outcomes?
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• In a study of kidney transplant recipients, those with ideal BMI (18–25) had the best organ survival. There was no difference when comparing BMI 30–35 with >35. • There were no significant differences in patient survival across different BMI groups. • Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Study Questions Certain Treatments for Diabetic Patients at High Risk for Heart Disease
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• In patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular disease, targeting blood sugar to normal levels (HbA1c<6.0%) reduced the risk for macroalbuminuria (a high amount of protein excreted in the urine) over an average follow-up of 7.7 years, but it had no impact on more significant kidney outcomes such as serum creatinine doubling (a marker of worsening kidney function) or the need for dialysis or transplantation. • Targeting low blood pressures (<120mmHg) or the use of fenofibrate to lower cholesterol increased the risk for doubling of serum creatinine, although it had no impact on the need for dialysis or transplantation.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Current Method for Determining Donor Kidneys’ Suitability for Transplantation May Be Flawed
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Results from biopsies taken when kidneys were procured from donors were not reliable for determining whether the organs were suitable for transplantation.

22-Oct-2018 8:00 AM EDT
American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Health Initiative Announces Release of “Technology Roadmap” to Spur Kidney Dialysis Innovations
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

The American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Health Initiative is releasing its Technology Roadmap for Innovative Approaches to Renal Replacement Therapy.

17-Oct-2018 10:05 AM EDT
High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Linked with Lower Hospitalization Rates in Dialysis Patients
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

• Receiving high-dose vs. standard dose influenza vaccine in 2016-17 was associated with lower rates of hospitalization in dialysis patients, although this association was not seen in 2015-16 (when few dialysis patients received the high-dose vaccine). • There were no differences in rates of death between patients receiving the high-dose vs. standard dose influenza vaccine during either time period.



close
0.22772