Kidney – Page 38

January 19, 2022August 16, 2022

20 Common Kidney Transplant Q&A

“When your kidneys fail, treatment is needed to replace the work your own kidneys can no longer do. There are two types of treatment for kidney failure: dialysis or transplant. Many people feel that a kidney transplant offers more freedom and a better quality of life than dialysis. In making a decision about whether this is the best treatment for you, you may find it helpful to talk to people who already have a kidney transplant. You also need to speak to your doctor, nurse and family members.”

Learn more here.

November 11, 2021August 16, 2022

Naperville Couple: Life After Husband & Wife Match for Kidney Transplant

“It’s the story of two people who are a match in a perfect and unexpected way. In July 2019, Naperville resident Aaron Rhoden suffered a stroke due to his high blood pressure. Afterwards, his kidney functionality was so low that he needed a transplant. That’s when an “unusual alignment” happened according to his doctor.

His wife, Tonya Rhoden, didn’t hesitate to take the tests necessary and the two found out they were a perfect match. The couple, married since 2016, said one in every between 50,000 and 100,000 spouses will be a match. The two are “six out of 10 markers identical,” said Aaron in a story we did with the two back in April before the kidney transplant.”

Read full story here.

November 10, 2021August 16, 2022

Chronic Kidney Disease and the Importance of Early Detection

“Approximately 1 in 7 adults in the United States has chronic kidney disease, which occurs when kidneys have become damaged over time and do not work as well as healthy kidneys. Kidney failure may lead to anemia, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death. People may not feel sick or notice any symptoms. Therefore, it can go undetected until it has advanced.

However, if caught in its early stages, kidney damage can be kept from getting worse by following a healthy diet and taking the proper medicine. We sit down with Erich, a chronic kidney disease patient of 30 years, and his wife and care provider Andria to hear their story. We also meet with Dr. Cosette Jamieson, a nephrologist who specializes in chronic kidney disease, to learn about the importance of early diagnosis and management strategies for patients.”

Learn more here.

November 9, 2021August 16, 2022

Investigational Oral CKD-Anemia Agent Effective, Safe

“The investigational hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) daprodustat was safe and as effective as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for anemia, according to the phase III ASCEND program.

In the first of the two ASCEND trials looking at patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, patients treated with oral daprodustat had a mean change in hemoglobin level of 0.28±0.02 g/dL from baseline to weeks 28 through 52, reported Ajay Singh, MBBS, MBA, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and chair of the ASCEND program’s Executive Steering Committee, and colleagues.”

How the kidney works

“Your kidneys play a vital role in balancing the amount of fluid in your body, detecting waste in your blood, and knowing when to release the vitamins, minerals, and hormones you need to stay alive. They do this by disposing of waste products and turning them into urine.”

Lear more from UNOS here.

November 3, 2021August 16, 2022

Dialysis Patients Mount Best COVID Vax Response After Third Dose

“Even people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were able to bolster an immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers reported.

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies, the overall immunogenicity rate for people on dialysis was 86% (95% CI 81-89), noted Chih-Hsiang Chang, MD, of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taiwan, and colleagues in JAMA Network Open.

After the first vaccination dose, those on dialysis saw an immune response rate of 41% (95% CI 32-52, I²=87.3%), which subsequently jumped to 89% (95% CI 85-91, I²=66.7%) after the second dose.”

Kidney Failure Patients Face High Rates of Insomnia

“Many kidney failure patients struggle with insomnia and other types of sleep disorder. Learn how common this is, the risks, what these patients go through, and how to manage it.

Are you or a loved one a chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient that struggles with sleeping well at night? Insomnia is a common sleep disorder among all individuals but especially those with kidney failure. It is characterized by persistent difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep and poor subjective sleep quality. Learn more about insomnia and kidney failure, including the prevalence, causes, potential consequences, and treatment options.”

Learn more here.

October 29, 2021August 16, 2022

Common Gene Variant May Predict Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes

“A common genetic variant predicted poor outcomes from peritoneal dialysis, suggesting a potential factor for patient selection and treatment, researchers found.

Variants in AQP1, the gene that encodes for a key water transport channel across the peritoneal membrane, were associated with decreased ultrafiltration while on peritoneal dialysis and a 70% increased risk of death or failure of that form of dialysis as well.

The 10-16% of patients with the TT genotype of the rs2075574 variant could be good candidates for precision medicine in dialysis treatment, Johann Morelle, MD, PhD, of the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels, Belgium, and colleagues reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.”

Donor Kidneys Further Out of Reach for Kids Regardless of Race

“The revamped U.S. kidney prioritization system appeared to better even the field in pediatric kidney transplant wait times — by making organs similarly harder to get for children across races and ethnicities, according to a study.

Measuring time from dialysis to transplantation, Black, Hispanic, or other children of color had significantly longer wait times compared to white children before the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network’s Kidney Allocation System (KAS) changes in 2014, but these differences were reduced afterward, Jill Krissberg, MD, MS, of Lurie’s Children Hospital of Chicago, and colleagues reported.”

NKF Statement on Key Healthcare Policies to Help Kidney Patients

“This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is reviewing several policy initiatives in the budget reconciliation process that, if passed, could positively impact patients with kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation and our advocates nationwide have been working closely with Congress to keep kidney patients and their unique needs front and center and we strongly support the following initiatives:

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs

NKF is proud to have worked with the Partnership to Protect Coverage in advocating for lower cost prescription drugs for our patients. Among other things, this provision caps Medicare Part D out of pocket costs at $2000 per patient, per year. “

Learn more here.