Decline is not inevitable.
A daily, evidence-graded view of everything moving in kidney research : the drugs that slow decline, the science of regeneration, and the mind-body work.
New research shows kidney tests may be less accurate for people of African ancestry.
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A large real-world study found that checking for sugar in urine can help confirm if patients are taking their kidney-protecting SGLT2 drugs.
Today's news focuses on how doctors can better understand test results and medication habits. The most important finding is that genetic differences can affect how accurately standard tests measure kidney function. Other reports look at links between thyroid issues and kidney disease, as well as new data on lupus treatments. Most of these studies are observational, so they show connections rather than proving what causes what.
African-specific variants at the GATM locus and genetic bias in creatinine-based GFR estimation
This study explains why kidney function tests can be less accurate for people of African ancestry. A specific gene change causes the body to make more creatinine, a waste product. This raises the creatinine level in the blood without actually changing how well the kidneys filter. The result is that standard tests may underestimate kidney function in these patients. This finding helps doctors interpret test results more fairly.
Association between central thyroid hormone dysregulation and chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.
This study looked at 2,759 people with type 2 diabetes. It found a link between thyroid hormone issues and kidney disease. This shows a connection, but it does not prove that one causes the other.
Chronic Kidney Disease Severity and Progression to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.
This study looked at people with type 2 diabetes and eye disease. It found a link between kidney disease and worse eye problems. The study is observational, so it shows a connection but not proof of cause. It does not test a new treatment.
Clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis analysis of childhood ANCA-associated vasculitis.
This study reviewed children with a rare blood vessel inflammation. It looked at how the disease affects their kidneys. It is an observational study, so it shows links but not proof of cause. It helps doctors understand this rare condition better.
Efficacy and safety of telitacicept combined with standard of care in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis: a real-world retrospective study.
This study looked at 112 people with lupus kidney disease. It compared a drug called telitacicept with standard care. It is a retrospective study, so it shows a link, not proof of cause. The drug may help control the disease.
CONTRAST-INDUCED NEPHROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND PROGNOSIS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
This study looked at 462 people with heart disease who had a dye test. It checked if the dye caused kidney damage. It also tracked what happened to them over one year. This is an observational study, so it shows a link but not proof of cause. It helps us understand the risks of these tests.
Perinatal Risk and Outcomes Among Individuals Insured by Medicare
This study compared pregnant women on Medicare with those on other insurance. It looked at health risks and baby outcomes. This is an observational study, so it shows a link but not proof of cause. It helps us understand the challenges for pregnant people with chronic conditions.
Cadherin-11 and the mechanobiology of the fibrogenic niche
Researchers found that blocking a protein called cadherin-11 can limit scarring in the kidneys. This was tested in animal models of kidney injury, not in people yet. The protein helps cells generate force, which drives the scarring process. Stopping this process preserved kidney function in the animals. This suggests a new target for future drugs to prevent kidney damage.
Increased mechanical load remodels the glomerular matrix and accelerates Alport kidney disease: processed data and analysis code
This study used mice to see how extra stress on the kidney changes its structure. It found that this stress can speed up a specific type of kidney disease in the animals. The data is from lab tests, not from people yet.
Frailty in children with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure
This commentary discusses frailty in children with kidney disease. It notes that frailty in kids looks different than in adults, often showing as lost growth or development. The authors argue for early screening to catch these issues. They suggest that childhood frailty may be reversible, unlike in adults. There are no new trial results in this piece.
Somatostatin analogues for ADPKD: ending the confusing story of mGFR and eGFR
This commentary reviews a recent trial of a drug called lanreotide for polycystic kidney disease. The drug did not slow the decline in measured kidney function. However, it did show a slight effect on estimated kidney function. The authors discuss why these two measures can give different results. This piece is an opinion on the trial data, not a new study.
Uremic toxins and parathyroid hormone have distinct effects on bone
This is a short letter to the editor. The authors discuss a recent study on bone health in kidney disease. They point out that the link between toxins and bone was known before. There are no new results in this letter.
The Case | Persistent hyperkalemia in a normotensive woman
This is a case report about a 55-year-old woman with high blood potassium. She had no symptoms and normal blood pressure. Her records showed high levels for about 10 years. This is one person's story, not a large study.
Interferon signature in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–negative patients
This is a short letter to the editor. The authors comment on a study about a specific immune signal in kidney disease. They praise the work but add no new data. There are no new results here.
A Pragmatic Trial Comparing Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin Through Cluster Randomization Embedded in the Electronic Health Record
A new study is starting to compare two diabetes drugs, empagliflozin and dapagliflozin. It will look at how well these drugs help people with kidney disease and heart failure. The study uses computer records to assign patients to groups. There are no results yet.
SGLT2 Inhibitors: Dual Effects on Erythropoiesis and Bone Metabolism.
This review looks at how a common diabetes drug affects blood and bones. It notes that the drug can raise blood cell counts and change bone minerals. It raises questions about how this might affect bone health in people with kidney disease. There are no new patient results in this review.
Caseous Peripheral Medial Arterial Calcification With Inflammation and Luminal Occlusion.
This is a case report about one man with kidney failure. He had a rare type of calcium buildup in his leg artery. It blocked blood flow and led to amputation. This is a single story, not a large study with results.
New Insights into the Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diabetic Kidney Disease in the Omics Era.
This is a review of how energy problems in cells drive diabetic kidney disease. It explains the science behind the damage. There are no new trial results in this article. It summarizes what is already known.
Development and validation of an explainable machine learning model for differentiating diabetic nephropathy from diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes
This study is starting. It aims to build a computer model that tells the difference between kidney and eye damage in people with type 2 diabetes. There are no results yet.
Vitamin D deficiency and the long-term risk of new-onset abdominal aortic aneurysm and severe aortic events: a multicenter propensity score–matched cohort study
This study is starting. It looks at the link between low vitamin D and a bulge in the main artery of the belly. There are no results yet.