ASN Press Releases: 2019
Latest Release: PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES ARE COMMON IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH KIDNEY FAILURE
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Between 1996 and 2013, approximately 27% of adults, 21% of elderly adults, and 16% of children with kidney failure in the United States were hospitalized with a psychiatric diagnosis in the first year of kidney failure.
The prevalence of hospitalizations with psychiatric diagnoses increased over time across age groups, mostly due to secondary diagnoses.
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- AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO SAVE LIVES FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY New Grant from Baxter Healthcare Corporation Will Support Effort to Transform Care
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) recently launched a new initiative aimed at saving lives of those who suffer from acute kidney injury (AKI). Made possible by a grant from Baxter Healthcare Corporation, the effort is called AKI!Now: Promoting Excellence in the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
- SHOULD POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS BE SCREENED FOR BRAIN ANEURYSMS?
Brain aneurysms were detected by pre-symptomatic screening in 9% of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, more frequently in those with a history of hypertension and smoking.
Very few patients experienced aneurysmal ruptures, but the overall rupture rate was approximately 5 times higher than in the general population.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
- WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY RATES ARE RISING AMONG U.S. ADULTS WITH KIDNEY FAILURE
The number of U.S. patients with kidney failure undergoing weight loss surgery increased 9-fold between 2006 and 2016.
The proportional use of sleeve gastrectomy in patients with kidney failure increased from less than 1% of weight loss surgeries in 2006 to 84% in 2016.
Complication rates for sleeve gastrectomy were similar between patients with and without kidney failure; however, patients with kidney failure had more hospital readmissions and slightly longer hospitals stays.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
- ASN LAUNCHES DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE COLLABORATIVE TO ENSURE PEOPLE WITH KIDNEY DISEASES BENEFIT FROM NEW THERAPIES FOR DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is pleased to announce the launch of the Diabetic Kidney Disease Collaborative (DKD-C) in response to the recent development of new therapies for people with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The Diabetic Kidney Disease Collaborative will work to increase coordination among primary care physicians, nephrologists, and other specialists to deliver appropriate therapies to people living with DKD.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
- HIGHER KIDNEY FUNCTION AT DIALYSIS INITIATION LINKED WITH GREATER RISK OF DEATH IN CHILDREN
In an analysis of information on children with kidney failure who began dialysis in the United States between 1995 and 2015, the risk of death was 1.36 times higher among children with higher kidney function at dialysis initiation.
The risk of death was even greater for children with higher kidney function who initiated treatment with hemodialysis rather than peritoneal dialysis
.
In more recent years, children have been started on dialysis with
higher kidney function.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
- STUDY EXAMINES DIFFERENCES OVER TIME IN HOME DIALYSIS INITIATION BY RACE AND ETHNICITY
Among U.S. patients who started dialysis in 2005 to 2013, racial/ethnic differences in initiating home dialysis decreased over time, although in the most recent era, Blacks were still less likely to use home dialysis as the initial modality than other groups.
Racial/ethnic differences in transfer from home dialysis to hemodialysis performed in dialysis facilities did not change over time.
Minority patients continued to have lower mortality and kidney transplantation rates than White patients.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
- KIDNEY PATIENTS, CARE PARTNERS INVITED TO SUBMIT IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS FOR NATIONAL PRIZE COMPETITION
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, American Society of Nephrology, and the National Kidney Foundation announce new Patient Innovator Challenge
Thursday, July 11, 2019
- STUDY REVEALS SUBSTANTIAL AND PERSISTENT GAPS IN QUALITY OF CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
From 2006 to 2014, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had a high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension that did not decrease over time.
Use of specialized hypertension medications in patients with CKD did not increase over time.
Statins are underused in CKD patients with respect to guideline recommendations.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
- ASN APPLAUDS RELEASE OF ADVANCING AMERICAN KIDNEY HEALTH INITIATIVE Policy Package a "Game Changer"
President Donald J. Trump and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, II, today unveiled the Advancing American Kidney Health initiative.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
- Kidney Patients are Neglected in Clinical Trials
The exclusion of patients with kidney diseases from clinical trials remains an unsolved problem that hinders optimal care of these patients. Over 850 million people suffer from kidney diseases worldwide, a number which signifies epidemic proportions, yet these patients are still ignored by investigators and initiators of clinical trials in all medical fields – and are thus excluded from clinical trials. ASN, ERA-EDTA and ISN, collaboratively aim to bring about a paradigm change in medical research and have launched an information campaign to that end.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
- MANY OLDER PATIENTS INITIATING DIALYSIS EXPERIENCE FUNCTIONAL DECLINE
In older adults initiating dialysis at 17 centers in Netherlands, 40% experienced a decline in functional status, 34% remained stable, 18% improved, and 8% died within 6 months.
The risk of functional decline or death was higher in participants who were older and those who were frail.
The percentage of caregivers reporting a high burden of care increased from 23% to 38% after dialysis initiation.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
- DOES HYPERTENSION POSE A HEALTH RISK TO OLDER ADULTS WHO WISH TO DONATE A KIDNEY? Study finds higher rates of kidney failure in donors with high blood pressure.
Among older living kidney donors, those with hypertension had higher risk of developing kidney failure through 15 years after donation; however, the absolute risk was small.
Hypertension was not linked with a higher risk of early death among older donors.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
- AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY JOURNALS MAINTAIN HIGH RANKING AND IMPACT AMONG KIDNEY JOURNALS
JASN maintains the highest impact ranking among kidney journals, according to a newly announced rating. Journal Citation Reports® (JCR) released its Impact Factor scores for 2018, and JASN earned a score of 8.5. This Impact Factor reflects the journal's influence, based on the average annual number of citations in 2018 to articles published in a journal during 2016 and 2017. JASN was referenced more than any publication in the field.
Friday, June 21, 2019
- RESTRICTIVE APPROACH TO BLOOD CELL TRANSFUSIONS SAFE FOR HEART SURGERY PATIENTS
A restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery led to fewer transfusions than a more liberal approach, without any increased risk of acute kidney injury.
The results were consistent in patients with and without chronic kidney disease before surgery.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
- ASN FOUNDATION FOR KIDNEY RESEARCH ANNOUNCES 2019 GRANT RECIPIENTS
The ASN Foundation for Kidney Research announced the 2019 recipients of research grants to advance new understandings of—and treatments for—kidney diseases.
The Foundation will fund 46 leading researchers working to cure kidney diseases. These include 27 new projects, with 19 continuing from 2018.
Established in 2012 by the American Society of Nephrology, the Foundation funds research that will help improve the health of approximately 40 million Americans burdened by kidney diseases, the 9th leading cause of death in the United States.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
- DO MEDICAL-ALERT BRACELETS BENEFIT PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE? Study finds lower rates of kidney failure, but no reductions in safety events.
Highlights
• In a study of patients with chronic kidney disease who did or did not wear medical-alert bracelets or necklaces, the frequency of safety events—or unintended harm from medical therapy—reported at annual visits was not different in the 2 groups.
• Wearing a medical-alert accessory was linked with a 62% lower risk of developing kidney failure, after adjustments.
• There was no significant difference in rates of hospitalization or death in those who did and did not wear medical-alert accessories.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
- STUDY EXAMINES VOLUME OVERLOAD IN PATIENTS INITIATING PERITONEAL DIALYSIS
Volume overload, or too much fluid in the body, is a frequent problem in patients with kidney failure initiating peritoneal dialysis.
Volume overload tends to improve over time after starting peritoneal dialysis, but is consistently higher in males vs. females and in patients with diabetes vs. those without.
Volume overload is associated with a higher risk of premature death.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
- AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY ANNOUNCES FIRST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF NEW JOURNAL, KIDNEY360
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) today announced the appointment of Michael Allon, MD, as the first Editor-in-Chief of Kidney360, ASN's new online journal launching in January 2020.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
- STATEMENT OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY PRESIDENT MARK E. ROSENBERG, MD, FASN, ON FISCAL YEAR 2020 PROPOSED BUDGET OF $41.1 BILLION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
On behalf of the more than 40 million children, adolescents, and adults living with kidney diseases in the United States, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) applauds the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations (LHHS) Subcommittee for their support of a Fiscal Year 2020 budget of $41.1 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of $2 billion above the 2019 enacted level. ASN represents more than 20,000 physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health professionals dedicated to treating and studying kidney diseases to improve the lives of people with kidney diseases.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
- HHS AND THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY AWARD KIDNEYX REDESIGN DIALYSIS PHASE 1 WINNERS
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.
Monday, April 29, 2019
- FOLLOWING A HEALTHY PLANT-BASED DIET MAY LOWER KIDNEY DISEASE RISK
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.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
- INVESTIGATORS INCORPORATE RANDOMIZED TRIAL WITHIN DIALYSIS CARE DELIVERY
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.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
- American Society of Nephrology Announces KidneyX Chair
John Sedor, MD, FASN to Lead Public-Private Kidney Care Innovation Accelerator
Thursday, April 18, 2019
- ITCHY SKIN AFFECTS THE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF MANY PATIENTS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE
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.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
- STUDY REVEALS NEW GENETIC FACTORS LINKED TO KIDNEY STONES
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.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
- STUDIES EXAMINE WAYS TO ASSESS QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE.
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.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
- DO SMARTPHONE APPS HELP KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS MANAGE THEIR DISEASE?
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.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
- ASN and AAKP Advocates are on Capitol Hill Urging Congress to Support KidneyX
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.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
- 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
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.
Friday, March 15, 2019
- POOR KIDNEY FUNCTION LINKED TO HIGHER CANCER RISK
In a study of adults in Sweden, poor kidney function was linked with a higher risk of certain cancers, especially skin and urogenital cancers.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
- STUDY PROVIDES NEW INSIGHTS ON COMMON POST-TRANSPLANT CONDITION
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.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
- EXPERIMENTAL DRUG LOWERS SERUM PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS IN PHASE 3 TRIAL OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS
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.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
- SECONDHAND SMOKE LINKED WITH HIGHER KIDNEY DISEASE RISK
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.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
- 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
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."
Monday, March 4, 2019
- GENERIC IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS HAVE REDUCED COSTS AFTER ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
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.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
- EVIDENCE-BASED CARE MAY IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY
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.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
- STUDY EXAMINES END-OF-LIFE CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDNEY FAILURE WHO UNDERGO AMPUTATION
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.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
- KIDNEY FAILURE PATIENTS FACE HIGHER RISK OF CANCER DEATH
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.
In dialysis patients, the main driver for cancer death was from cancers that were present prior to starting dialysis, whereas in transplant recipients, cancer deaths were mainly driven by cancers that arose after transplantation.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
- CPR CAN SAVE LIVES IN DIALYSIS CLINICS, BUT IT'S UNDERUSED
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.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
- PRACTICES RELATED TO FLUID VOLUME THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS' HEALTH
Certain practices in dialysis facilities related to managing fluid volume and low blood pressure during dialysis are important to patients' health and survival.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
- HIGHER FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION LINKED TO LOWER RISK OF EARLY DEATH FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS
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.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
- STUDY EXAMINES BARRIERS TO EXERCISE EXPERIENCED BY DIALYSIS PATIENTS
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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
- SEASONAL INFLUENZA PLAYS A ROLE IN THE DEATHS OF MANY KIDNEY FAILURE PATIENTS
Influenza-like illness was linked with seasonal variation in the death rates of US patients with kidney failure.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
- FRAIL KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS FACE HIGHER RISK OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
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.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
- GENE SEQUENCING APPROACH MAY HELP TAILOR TREATMENTS FOR YOUNG KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
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.
Thursday, January 17, 2019