News Stories and Research on Dialysis

General News from the BBC

Click here for Kidney Dialysis News April 2008 and before

Kidney transplant - when the kidney is incompatible!

Well this one took us by surprize! The news story in the Times Online 5th Feb 2010 tells how a woman had her blood plasma frozen and filtered to enable her to receive what would have otherwise been an incompatible kidney. Is this a giant leap forward in kidney transplants? Well, it's being reported world wide as it is such a good result.

Paracetamol Protects Against Kidney Failure After Muscle Injury

Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Renal Failure occurs after a trauma, and can lead to kidney failure. As reported in MedicalNews (5th Feb 2010), research conducted at Essex, University college and the USA suggests that in these cases paracetamol can protect after muscle injuries. But they say that further trials are necessary to back up the claims.

Abnormal levels of calcium in the blood deadly for kidney patients

This new was reported on 11th January 2010 at Sciencecentric, based on an article from the American Society of Nephrology (the news was reported on several web sites). An increased chance of premature death was noted in non-dialysis patients. Those with chronic kidney disease often have high calcium levels, and the authors think that the calcium may be involved in some processes that take longer to cause harm.

UK author gets kidney transplant

In a story that may help raise awareness of kidney failure, reported on 27th Dec, 2009, in the Times, Sue Townsend, author of the Adrain Mole books from the 1980s (very popular in the UK at the time) has recieved a new kidney. She had diabetes for many years and was on dialysis for the last two years.

13 Patients, 13 Donors, 13 Transplants. one network

This one has appeared on many news sites, including the CNN News, from 14th December. (Half way down, click on the link "Watch more on the 26-person transplant". A large number of people simpley networked together, each willing to donate, not necesarily to their own friend with renal failure, if they don't have a successful match. "I'll help your friend if you help mine". This sort of networking can help increase the number of successful transplants.

One in five kidney patients given the wrong drug

In an article that is hitting the headlines everywhere, ABCNews reports (on 8th Dec, 2009), that after studying the data from 829 U.S. hospitals on 22,778 dialysis patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention - a procedure in which a tube is inserted into an artery to open a blockage, it was found that 22% were given a blood thinner that was not recommended for patients on dialysis. This is a rather serious error to make! It doubled the number of bleeeding incidents, and increased the number of accidental deaths.

Grant to aid Investigation of the Diabetes - Kidney Disease Link

Having diabetes makes you prone to kidney problems and to needing dialysis. MedicalNews Today reported on 7th December 2009 that over £320,000 has been jointly awarded to Nottingham Trent University and The University of Sheffield by The Wellcome Trust, to fund important research into an enzyme which is believed to hold the key to treating kidney disease and diabetes.

Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Patients Face Higher Risk of NSF from Gadolinium Agents

We found similar reports on several web sites, including yourlawer.com, about a study of patients exposed to gadolinium contrast dyes which has revealed that hemodialysis patients had a 77-fold higher risk of developing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), while kidney transplant patients had a 69-fold higher risk of the disease. The NSF study was published in the October issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Gadolinium contrast dyes are approved for use in MRI procedures, and are sometimes used off-label in MRA studies. The U.S. health regulators are about to review the use of these dyes on 8th December 2009.

Vitamin E help fight muscle cramps during dialysis

Many reports suggest that Vitamen E may help those suffering from cramp. A recent article in a medical journal reports on research carried out at Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn showed that for dialysis patients, Vitamen E seemed to be very effective are reducing cramp during treatments. The study group was rather small, but if similar results are found with a larger group, then this could be good news for those who have this problem during dialysis.

Rise in number of kidney disease sufferers worldwide

On 13th November 2009, CNN news center, reporting on World Diabetes Day said that experts believe that as developing countries become increasingly urbanized, they are adopting the unhealthy lifestyles that promote diabetes and high blood pressure, the leading causes of kidney disease. Diabetes is growning more rapidly in the developing world, with the widely known side effect of causing more renal failure problems.

FDA Issues Warning for Diabetes Drug

A worrying report at US News - HealthDay on 3rd November says that possible kidney problems, including renal failure, in people taking the diabetes drug exenatide (Byetta) have prompted changes to the drug's prescribing information, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Health-care professionals and patients taking Byetta are advised to pay close attention to any signs or symptoms of kidney problems

Anemia Drug May Raise Stroke Risk in Kidney Patients

On 31st October 2009, online news center US News - HealthDay reported on a study that suggests that use of the anemia drug Aranesp should be reserved for the most seriously ill, as it appears to double the risk of a stoke in patients with diabetes and kidney disease, and doesn't seem to improve the quality of their life. This is based on research by Dr. Marc A. Pfeffer, a professor of medicine in the cardiovascular division of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston

Study suggests Fosrenol may be better than Renagel for phosphate binding

On 8th October 2009, the magazine Pharmafocus reported on a study that suggests Fosrenol may be a better choice, but as usual with drug reports, wait and see before jumping to conclusions.

Many on dialysis not told of transplant option

A report in America, dated 27th Sept 2009, says that many patients are not offered the chance of a kidney transplant. It argues that a transplant is overall a cheaper option. It also suggests that you should get on a transplant list as soon as possible. There are several other dialysis articles linked to from this one story.

Doctors suggest contraversial selection of "suitable" patients for dialysis

USA Today reported (13th Sept 2009) on a contraversial suggestion that some patients for dialysis should be excluded because of their age or if they had other serious medical problems which might soon result in their death.

Dialysis patients faced stroke risk with blood thinner

CBC News reports, on August 27th 2009, on research which says the blood thinner warfarin should be used cautiously in some heart patients with kidney failure. (Wafarin is prescribed to reduce the risk of strokes in people with atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm.)

Amgen's anemia drug fails in kidney patient study

According to a report in the Sans Francisco Chronicle, on 25th August, the biotech giant Amgen Inc. says its anemia drug Aranesp didn't benefit patients with chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and anemia in a big late-stage study. Patients who got pricey Aranesp as part of their treatment fared no better than those who got a placebo on the study's two main measures.

Dialysis machine small enough to be worn as a belt

This story is appearing on many news sites, reported in the UK's Telegraph of August 21st, for example. They describe, rather briefly, a compact dialysis device, developed by researchers at UCLA, which weighs in at around 10lbs. As with several similar devices reported on in the last two years, it awaits a full clinical trial.

Gene linked to kidney failure

Research by an international group of scientists has uncovered the genetic basis of a rare hereditary kidney disease and they presented the discovery to journalists at a press conference on 20th August 2009. This may allow for the pharmacological treatment of the families which have a history of the disease.

The discovery made by researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, and colleagues provides insight into a protein, renin, that is important in blood pressure regulation, and reveals the cause of one type of inherited kidney disease occurring in adults and children. This work has been reported widely on the internet.

Kidney patients at risk from "enhanced" meats

A research article published on 23rd July, in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. that may worry kidney patients points out that "enhanced" meats (such as those plumper chickens with water injected into the meat) use phosphates to get part of their effects. Thus a renal failure patient may be injesting more potassium and phosphates than is good for them.

Baking soda an aid for some dialysis patients

This story is hitting the headlines in many places (16-17 July 2009), including The Times. It says that tests on 134 advanced chronic kidney disease patients with metabolic acidosis, showed positive results, with their kidneys deteriorating at 66% of the rate of those in a test group.

Jeddah to have world's largest kidney dialysis center

This was reported on many Middle East news sites, including here, on 29th June. The title says it all. They hope to be able to treat 800 patients using 140 dialysis machines.

Natalie Cole has Kidney Transplant

Singer Natalie Cole has been on regular dialysis since September, even during her recent tour reported in NME. (2nd April, 2009), but recently under went transplant surgery. Let's hope the publicity around this raises the public awareness of dialysis.

Update. As recently as 15th August, Natalie Cole praised the annonymous donor and their family who gave her a new kidney. So it looks like she is doing her best to bring attention to the problems of renal failure patients.

Murder of Dialysis Patients

We missed this report first time round Nurse Is Charged in the Death of 5 Patients (20th Mar, 2009), which describes a nurse charged with injecting bleach into the tubes of patients' dialysis tubing. Shocking.

More Research on Genes and Kidney Disease

A report from Nature Genetics, summarised by Ivanhoe (14th May, 2009), suggests three genes indicate a risk of reduced kidney function and chronic kidney disease. But further research is still needed.

For Dialysis Patients, More Pills = Lower Quality of Life

Forbes Magazine (13th May 2009) and Science Daily, among others, report on soon to be published research which claims that the more pills a dialysis patient is perscribed, the more likely they are not to tkae them as directed. Phosphate binder pills seemed to be most likely to be taken the wrong way, they said.

Gene Linked to Kidney Disease in African-Americans

Researchers at at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center believe they have finally isolated the gene that causes so much kidney disease in African-Americans. They call it MYH9. Research shows 70 percent of African-Americans with kidney disease have the gene, many of whom end up on dialysis. (13th May, 2009)

New Test May Predict Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease

According to ModernMedicine.com, on 13th April, 2009, a new test may soon be available, based on research which shows that levels of reduced eGFR combined with albuminuria predict progression of kidney disease. For the more techincally minded, the full report is available from JASN

Large Dialysis Companies Use Peritoneal Dialysis Less

A study reported on in Renal Business Today, on April 10th, said Large dialysis organizations use peritoneal dialysis significantly less than their smaller counterparts, which can lead to worse patient outcomes, according to a study published online April 9 in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. The study noted that the majority of these patients were not offered the PD option

Nutrition Guideline for Kids with CKD Updated

This report in Renal and Urology News, on 7th April, is worth reading.

Number of people needing dialysis rises

The Irish Times reported on a 50% increase on the number of people requiring kidney dialysis in the Irish Republic (11th March). Plans need to be in place to handle this, even if the transplant rate improves. Some figures to consider - almost 400 new patients develop end-stage kidney disease in the Republic every year; some two-thirds of new patients are male, with 44 per cent over 65 years of age, 83% are treated by haemodialysis, 15% by peritoneal dialysis and 2% receive a transplant.

Iron drug back in the news

Last year we mentioned how a new drug, Ferumoxytol, was being tested, but that some people were casting doubts on its effectiveness (see the older news section). Now it's back in the news, after a new study suggests it could be useful.

Inventor of the kidney machine dies

The death on 11th February 2009 of Willem Kolff, the Dutch doctor credited with inventing the modern kidney dialysis machine, has been reported on the vast majority of news sites, including the Washington Post - read the report here. Kolff was a pioneer in the field of artificial organs, and worked in many different fields of research.

Living at higher altitudes can increase dialysis patients live span

A recent study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in February 2009 is appearing in many news centres, some giving more info than others. The InjuryBoard report and the WebMD report give nice summaries. Basically if a patient of dialysis lives (or moves to) an area several thousand feet above sea-level, the increase in hemoglobin in the blood (required to get enough oxygen transported) helps increase the live span by up to 15%.

Low protein diet for renal failure patients may pose some risks

A research article The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported in Renal News, on February 2nd, 2009, suggests that a low protein diet for those on hemodialysis may not be the best way to reduce phosphorus levels. Although an often suggested dietary restiction, it can result in malnutrition and protein-energy wasting, which can increase the risk of death in MHD patients.

Donating a kidney does the donor no harm

Another news item getting lots of coverage is a study of living kidney donors, hitting the media on 29th January 2009. It shows that these donors suffer no ill-effects after donating a kidney, and hopefully it will help increase the number of donors. It always seems such a big sacrifice to make, but when it turns out being a donor has no side effects, it may reduce the stress some donors experience. In fact donors are less susceptible to kidney failure than the general population. (Not saying donors are not great people - they absolutely definately are! And deserve a great deal of admiration.)

Overnight HD Could Improve Outcomes

Are you one a normal four hour dialysis treatment or an overnight eight hour one? A report in Renal News, Jan 22, 2009, suggests that those on an eight hour overnight hemodialysis treatment do substantially better than those on a standard four hour treatment regime. It seems to improve many things, but requires an overnight stay at the dialysis centre, something that patients apparently quickly adapt to. For those having health problems caused by dialysis, perhaps this might make a diference.

Simple Model Predicts Those At Risk For Chronic Kidney Disease

In a recent research article, reported on at Medical News, 28th December 2008, researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have created a simple eight-point risk factor checklist to do predict which patients might be likely to end up suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Phosphorus Lowering Drugs Linked To Lower Mortality In Dialysis Patients

Phosphorus is once again in the news, according to a report on phosphorus-binding drugs, on 18th December. For patients on dialysis, taking medications to reduce levels of the mineral phosphorus in the blood may reduce the risk of death by 25 to 30 percent, including those patients with only modest or even no increase in their blood phosphorus levels.

Novel Enteric Dialysis(TM) technology to be introduced by KIBOW BIOTECH at ASN 2008

A press release from Kibow Biotech on 4th November 2008 reports on a new treatment concept called Enteric Dialysis(TM). They will be introducing the concept of Enteric Dialysis(TM) at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Renal Week 2008, being held at PA Convention Center in Philadelphia, November 4-9. Their main product claims to remove toxins at the pre-dialysis stage of kidney failure, using probiotic bacteria in gel capsules, taken orally. Theya are currently conducting a pilot-scale, double-blind, randomized, cross-over human clinical trial for a period of six months at 6 study sites.

Johns Hopkins links kidney, heart failure

Researchers at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported in their in-house news journal on October 27th, that patients suffering from kidney failure are between ten to one hundred times more likely to die from heart failure than the rest of the population. This item is now being picked up by many newspapers across the world.

Cell changes identified which reduce the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis

A report from Science News (November 1st) discusses recent research on why peritoneal dialysis gradually becomes less effective. They identified molecular signals that cause abnormal changes in the peritoneum. They also found that pharmacologically disrupting these signals causes these abnormal cells to revert back to their original state, as they normally existed in the abdominal cavity lining. It is hoped that this will eventually lead to improvements in PD.

Patients at risk due to hospital water treatment failure

A UK newspaper reported on October 28th that kidney dialysis patients are at risk from silver in the water used in dialysis machines, after the filtering unit at one hospital failed, resulting in the death of a patient.

Kidney Research UK Launches First Ever National Kidney Disease Screening Pilot

Kidney Research UK is to launch a pilot programme of national screening days for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The screenings will take place from September until the end of November in four centres across the UK. (September 7th 2008). This national pilot aims to screen up to 2,000 people at four sites (namely London, Birmingham, Oldham, plus one other) each session targeting one of the high-risk groups likely to suffer kidney problems

Mortality Risk Revealed by Phosphorus-Regulating Hormone

Screening dialysis patients for levels of a hormone that regulates phosphorus may identify mortality risks and a need for phosphorus-lowering treatment, researchers found. One-year mortality risk for patients starting dialysis with the highest serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) levels was 5.7 times higher than for those with the lowest levels and 20% higher than for those with normal levels, reported Myles Wolf, M.D., of the University of Miami, and colleagues, in the Aug. 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

New kidney test for indigenous Australians

Researchers in Darwin hope a new study will improve the early detection test for kidney disease among Indigenous Australians (19 July 2008). They say the current test can be inaccurate for Indigenous Australians because it's based on the body shapes of Americans. Per head of population the Northern Territory has the highest rate of kidney disease in the world and the researchers say improved early detection could ease the strain on the health system. More details here.

Combo Therapy Makes More Kidney Transplants Possible

We've found this news in several places, including The Washington Post and Rueters, saying that a new combination therapy of combined IVIG and Rituxan (rituximab), a monoclonal antibody, in sensitized patients increases the chance of receiving a successful kidney transplant. (16 July, 2008)

Kidney disease linked to lower medication use after heart attack

From Sciencecentric, (12th July 2008). Patients with kidney disease - especially end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis - are less likely to receive recommended medications after a heart attack, reports a study in the September 2008 Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). Patients with and without kidney disease were compared for use of medications recommended after myocardial infarction - Overall rates of medication use were low.

Agressive diabetes treatment can reduce chance of kidney failure

Another news item (29 June 2008) that is appearing on many health sites reports that treating diabetes more aggressively than normal can result in a much lower kidney failure rate, and thus less chance of a diabetic needing dialysis treatment. The aim is to reduce the blood sugar levels more than normal treatment does, and after studying over 11,000 patients, the results are very encouraging.

Careful cooking of potatoes reduces the potassium content

Kidney failure patients have to carefully control what they eat to keep their mineral levels at the correct sort of values. The potassium content of potatoes, as well as other minerals, can be reduced significantly by preparing them in a different mannner, accoriding to this research report (2 June 2007). Finely sliced or chopped potatoes can have the minerals leached out into the water, making them much more suitable for kidney failure patients.

More Frequent Dialysis Not Better in Acute Kidney Injury

We found this reported on many news sites recently (20th May 2008) where recent research shows that more intense dialysis does not improve things when the kidney is injured, contrary to general belief. A month after we first reported this news item, it is still appearing in news reports.

Vitamin D May Lower Mortality in Kidney Patients

More research news hits the headlines on 16th May, 2008. The study reports that, for those with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, taking activated vitamin d orally in the form of calcitriol lowered the risk of death by 26% compared to those not taking the drug. and reduced the probability that they would eventually need dialysis. This was a two year trial involving 1400 patients, and with this amount of work, it seems likely to be good news for many people.