The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is generally estimated from serum concentrations of endogenous filtration markers such as creatinine or cystatin C. During the past two decades, automated clinical laboratory reporting of GFR estimated with the use of creatinine (eGFRcr) has
Disseminated Cryptococcosis
Figure 1.
Case 32-2021: A 14-Year-Old Girl with Swelling of the Jaw and Hypercalcemia
Presentation of Case. Dr. Austin Be (Surgery): A 14-year-old girl was admitted to this hospital because of swelling of the left jaw. The patient had been well until 6 weeks before this admission, when she noticed a lump in the
Empagliflozin and Major Renal Outcomes in Heart Failure
To the Editor: Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce the risk of serious adverse renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes, but the renal effects of these drugs in patients with heart failure remain uncertain. Although empagliflozin and dapagliflozin have been reported
Moving the Goalposts for Blood Pressure — Time to Act
We often lament the lack of confirmatory studies that can either reassure us all that the previous evidence for a trialed intervention is robust or indicate that the evidence is questionable. Zhang and colleagues have conducted such a study —
Randomized Trial of a Third Dose of mRNA-1273 Vaccine in Transplant Recipients
To the Editor: In organ-transplant recipients, the standard two-dose vaccination strategy for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has suboptimal immunogenicity. Both patients and health care providers have questioned whether a third-dose booster in transplant recipients would be safe and enhance…
Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes with Efpeglenatide in Type 2 Diabetes
The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events among persons with diabetes is triple that among persons without diabetes; the incidence of adverse renal events is also high among persons with diabetes. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events rises with increasing duration
Moving the Goalposts for Blood Pressure — Time to Act
We often lament the lack of confirmatory studies that can either reassure us all that the previous evidence for a trialed intervention is robust or indicate that the evidence is questionable. Zhang and colleagues have conducted such a study —
Cardiovascular Events with Finerenone in Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) exacerbates the cardiovascular risk associated with type 2 diabetes. The risks of cardiovascular events and new-onset heart failure increase as the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (with albumin measured in milligrams and creatinine measured in grams) exceeds 10
Long-Term Survival after Kidney Transplantation
The survival advantages of transplantation over long-term dialysis are generally well described, provided a given patient with end-stage kidney disease is deemed a candidate for a transplant. As of December 2018, in the United States, 554,038 patients with end-stage kidney
The Promise of Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Renal-Cell Carcinoma
Renal-cell carcinoma is a common cancer in both men and women around the world. Although nephrectomy remains the standard care for patients with locally advanced renal-cell carcinoma, recurrence occurs in up to 50 to 80% of patients, ultimately causing death
Three Doses of an mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients
To the Editor: A weak immune response to two doses of vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been observed in recipients of solid-organ transplants. Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have also been reported in
Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are an effective treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes. These agents act by stimulating insulin secretion in hyperglycemic states, suppressing glucagon secretion in hyperglycemic or euglycemic states, delaying gastric emptying,…
Case 23-2021: A 41-Year-Old Woman with Bloody Stools and Thrombocytopenia
Presentation of Case. Dr. Matthew B. Roberts: A 41-year-old woman who had undergone renal transplantation was admitted to this hospital because of bloody stools and thrombocytopenia. The patient had been in her usual state of health until 3 weeks before
Hematuria in Adults
Visible (macroscopic) hematuria, documented since ancient times, is striking, particularly when there is no prior event, such as trauma, dysuria due to cystitis, or flank pain with passage of a kidney stone, to provide a clear explanation. In contrast, nonvisible
Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are an effective treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes. These agents act by stimulating insulin secretion in hyperglycemic states, suppressing glucagon secretion in hyperglycemic or euglycemic states, delaying gastric emptying,…
Breaking New Ground with Incretin Therapy in Diabetes
The number of persons with diabetes is projected to grow from 463 million to 700 million worldwide between 2019 and 2045, with the greatest effect occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Given the growing number of cases of diabetes (90%
Final Report of a Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control
The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) was designed to determine whether a systolic blood-pressure target of less than 120 mm Hg (intensive treatment) would be associated with a lower rate of clinical events than a systolic blood-pressure target of
Case 15-2021: A 76-Year-Old Woman with Nausea, Diarrhea, and Acute Kidney Failure
Presentation of Case. Dr. Arielle J. Medford: A 76-year-old woman with heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted to this hospital with nausea, diarrhea, and acute kidney failure. The patient normally lived independently, but she had been staying
Vadadustat in Patients with Anemia and Non–Dialysis-Dependent CKD
Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among patients with moderate-to-advanced non–dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD), the prevalence of anemia, defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 13 g per deciliter in men and below 12 g per deciliter in
Zoom Family Meeting
As difficult as 2020 was, it also brought some exhilarating moments when care was redesigned on the fly and delivered in better ways. How can we preserve the benefits of these bursts of innovation once the Covid-19 pandemic eases? One
Vadadustat in Patients with Anemia and Non–Dialysis-Dependent CKD
Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among patients with moderate-to-advanced non–dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD), the prevalence of anemia, defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 13 g per deciliter in men and below 12 g per deciliter in
Zoom Family Meeting
As difficult as 2020 was, it also brought some exhilarating moments when care was redesigned on the fly and delivered in better ways. How can we preserve the benefits of these bursts of innovation once the Covid-19 pandemic eases? One
Insights into Glomerular Filtration and Albuminuria
Chronic kidney diseases affect more than 10% of the world’s population, and most cases arise from disorders of the kidney’s filtration barrier, which is located within a million microvascular units called glomeruli. Although it has been known for many decades
Lenvatinib plus Pembrolizumab or Everolimus for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
First-line treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been shown to provide benefits for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, but most patients have disease relapse as resistance develops. Treatment with immune-checkpoint inhibitors, either as…
Lumasiran, an RNAi Therapeutic for Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare, progressive genetic disease with debilitating and life-threatening clinical manifestations due to increased hepatic oxalate production. The metabolic defect in PH1 results from a deficiency of the liver-specific peroxisomal enzyme alanine–glyoxylate…
Case 9-2021: A 16-Year-Old Boy with Headache, Abdominal Pain, and Hypertension
Presentation of Case. Dr. Neil D. Fernandes (Pediatrics): A 16-year-old boy was admitted to this hospital because of headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The patient had been well until 17 months before this admission, when he began to have
Sulfonamide Crystals
Fatigue and decreased urinary output developed in a 42-year-old man who had been admitted to the hospital for treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. He had a history of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The CD4+ T-cell count was
A Randomized Trial of Albumin Infusions in Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis
Liver disease causes 2 million deaths per year worldwide and is the leading cause of death in adults who are 35 to 49 years of age in England, where it accounts for more than 10% of deaths in this age
Misrepresenting Race — The Role of Medical Schools in Propagating Physician Bias
Conceptions of race have evolved and become more nuanced over time. Most scholars in the biologic and social sciences converge on the view that racism shapes social experiences and has biologic consequences and that race is not a meaningful scientific
A Randomized Trial of Albumin Infusions in Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis
Liver disease causes 2 million deaths per year worldwide and is the leading cause of death in adults who are 35 to 49 years of age in England, where it accounts for more than 10% of deaths in this age
Misrepresenting Race — The Role of Medical Schools in Propagating Physician Bias
Conceptions of race have evolved and become more nuanced over time. Most scholars in the biologic and social sciences converge on the view that racism shapes social experiences and has biologic consequences and that race is not a meaningful scientific
A Randomized Trial of Albumin Infusions in Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis
Liver disease causes 2 million deaths per year worldwide and is the leading cause of death in adults who are 35 to 49 years of age in England, where it accounts for more than 10% of deaths in this age
Misrepresenting Race — The Role of Medical Schools in Propagating Physician Bias
Conceptions of race have evolved and become more nuanced over time. Most scholars in the biologic and social sciences converge on the view that racism shapes social experiences and has biologic consequences and that race is not a meaningful scientific
Avacopan — Time to Replace Glucocorticoids?
In recent decades, substantial advances in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis have led to a decrease in disease-related morbidity and mortality. The regimen for inducing remission in patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis has evolved on the…
Avacopan for the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis may have life-threatening complications, including impairment in kidney function caused by progressive focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis. ANCA-associated vasculitis can also result in deterioration of health-related…
Avacopan — Time to Replace Glucocorticoids?
In recent decades, substantial advances in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis have led to a decrease in disease-related morbidity and mortality. The regimen for inducing remission in patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis has evolved on the…
Avacopan for the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis may have life-threatening complications, including impairment in kidney function caused by progressive focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis. ANCA-associated vasculitis can also result in deterioration of health-related…
Avacopan — Time to Replace Glucocorticoids?
In recent decades, substantial advances in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis have led to a decrease in disease-related morbidity and mortality. The regimen for inducing remission in patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis has evolved on the…
Avacopan for the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis may have life-threatening complications, including impairment in kidney function caused by progressive focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis. ANCA-associated vasculitis can also result in deterioration of health-related…
Avacopan — Time to Replace Glucocorticoids?
In recent decades, substantial advances in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis have led to a decrease in disease-related morbidity and mortality. The regimen for inducing remission in patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis has evolved on the…
Race and Genetic Ancestry in Medicine — A Time for Reckoning with Racism
In the United States, race, ancestry, genetics, and medicine are inextricably linked in a complex and fraught history. Medicine is replete with examples of racial injustice inflicted by the use of race and ethnicity as biologic constructs to engender hierarchical
Sotagliflozin in Patients with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Patients with diabetes mellitus are at high risk for both heart failure and ischemic events. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to be effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to lower the risk of
In Search of a Better Equation — Performance and Equity in Estimates of Kidney Function
Grassroots activism and the resurgent focus on racism in the United States have led medical centers to revisit their approaches to estimating and reporting kidney function. Although many experts agree that we should reconsider the use of race in equations
Misrepresenting Race — The Role of Medical Schools in Propagating Physician Bias
Conceptions of race have evolved and become more nuanced over time. Most scholars in the biologic and social sciences converge on the view that racism shapes social experiences and has biologic consequences and that race is not a meaningful scientific
Renal Cryptococcosis
Figure 1.
Effect of Finerenone on Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. International guidelines for the management of CKD in patients with type 2 diabetes recommend control of hypertension and hyperglycemia, as well as the use of a renin–angiotensin
Sotagliflozin in Patients with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Patients with diabetes mellitus are at high risk for both heart failure and ischemic events. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to be effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to lower the risk of
Case 34-2020: A 74-Year-Old Man with Chronic Kidney Disease
Presentation of Case. Dr. Eugene P. Rhee: A 74-year-old man was evaluated in the nephrology clinic of this hospital because of chronic kidney disease. The patient had been in his usual state of health when he was referred to the
Finerenone — Halting Relative Hyperaldosteronism in Chronic Kidney Disease
Type 2 diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease. Cardiovascular risk and the risk of progression of kidney disease are very high among patients with diabetes mellitus, particularly among those with CKD.
Dapagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Worldwide estimates indicate that nearly 700 million persons have chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is an important contributor to illness and is associated with a diminished quality of life and a reduced life expectancy. Despite the widespread availability of
Case 30-2020: A 54-Year-Old Man with Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Presentation of Case. Dr. Jacqueline B. Henson (Medicine): A 54-year-old man was evaluated at this hospital after cardiac arrest associated with ventricular fibrillation. The patient had been in his usual state of health until midday on the day of admission,
Dapagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Worldwide estimates indicate that nearly 700 million persons have chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is an important contributor to illness and is associated with a diminished quality of life and a reduced life expectancy. Despite the widespread availability of
Case 30-2020: A 54-Year-Old Man with Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Presentation of Case. Dr. Jacqueline B. Henson (Medicine): A 54-year-old man was evaluated at this hospital after cardiac arrest associated with ventricular fibrillation. The patient had been in his usual state of health until midday on the day of admission,
Belimumab as Add-on Therapy in Lupus Nephritis
Nephritis, the most common serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affects up to 50% of patients with this condition. Proliferative lupus nephritis typically manifests with microscopic hematuria, nonnephrotic proteinuria, renal insufficiency, and hypertension, whereas…
Two-Year, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Belimumab in Lupus Nephritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by loss of immune tolerance, leads to multisystem inflammation and organ injury. Lupus nephritis, which occurs in 25 to 60% of patients with SLE, is the most common severe manifestation of
Belimumab as Add-on Therapy in Lupus Nephritis
Nephritis, the most common serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affects up to 50% of patients with this condition. Proliferative lupus nephritis typically manifests with microscopic hematuria, nonnephrotic proteinuria, renal insufficiency, and hypertension, whereas…
Hidden in Plain Sight — Reconsidering the Use of Race Correction in Clinical Algorithms
Physicians still lack consensus on the meaning of race. When the Journal took up the topic in 2003 with a debate about the role of race in medicine, one side argued that racial and ethnic categories reflected underlying population genetics
Drug-Coated Balloons for Dysfunctional Dialysis Arteriovenous Fistulas
Approximately 850 million persons worldwide have chronic kidney disease, and almost 4 million receive renal replacement therapy. Among these 4 million, more than 520,000 Americans are undergoing dialysis, and fewer than 225,000 have a functioning kidney transplant. To improve treatment
Multiorgan and Renal Tropism of SARS-CoV-2
To the Editor: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) preferentially infects cells in the respiratory tract, but its direct affinity for organs other than the lungs remains poorly defined. Here, we present data from an autopsy series of 27
Ectopic Kidney
Figure 1.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in U.S. Children and Adolescents
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has caused catastrophic disease worldwide, although children have been relatively spared. Severe lung involvement with acute respiratory failure is the most common complication of Covid-19 in adults, but many have complications in multiple organs,…
Timing of Initiation of Renal-Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury
Acute kidney injury is a common complication in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with a high risk of death or major complications and a high level of resource use. Many patients who are seriously
Ensuring Choice for People with Kidney Failure — Dialysis, Supportive Care, and Hope
Each year in the United States, approximately 120,000 people with kidney failure choose to start dialysis therapy — an arduous, life-sustaining treatment — and more than half a million patients already receiving dialysis continue their treatment. More than 80% of
Zebra Bodies in the Kidney
Figure 1.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in U.S. Children and Adolescents
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has caused catastrophic disease worldwide, although children have been relatively spared. Severe lung involvement with acute respiratory failure is the most common complication of Covid-19 in adults, but many have complications in multiple organs,…
Salicylate Toxicity
On presentation to the emergency department, patients with fever, tachypnea, rales on lung examination, and acid–base disturbances are often given a suspected diagnosis of viral infection, yet persons with salicylate toxicity may present with similar symptoms. This article highlights the
Urate-Lowering Therapy and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression
The prevalence and severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasing for decades. Because of its tremendous financial and health burden, both to persons and to health systems, mitigation of the progression of CKD is of critical importance. Two
Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Inhibitors and Risk of Covid-19
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), can infect host cells by means of interaction with membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on respiratory epithelium. ACE2 is part of the…
Using GIS Mapping to Track Hot Spots of Kidney Disease in California
To the Editor: Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin is a leading cause of death in adults living in dry, lowland farming regions of Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and India. The Central Valley of California has a high annual
Case 17-2020: A 68-Year-Old Man with Covid-19 and Acute Kidney Injury
Presentation of Case. Dr. Meridale V. Baggett: A 68-year-old man was admitted to this hospital with fever, shortness of breath, and acute kidney injury during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome
Case 15-2020: A 79-Year-Old Man with Hyponatremia and Involuntary Movements of the Arm and Face
Presentation of Case. Dr. Joseph A. Rosenthal (Medicine): A 79-year-old man was admitted to this hospital because of hyponatremia and involuntary movements of the arm and face. The patient had been in his usual state of health and walking 3
Case 17-2020: A 68-Year-Old Man with Covid-19 and Acute Kidney Injury
Presentation of Case. Dr. Meridale V. Baggett: A 68-year-old man was admitted to this hospital with fever, shortness of breath, and acute kidney injury during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome
Association between Angiotensin Blockade and Incidence of Influenza in the United Kingdom
To the Editor: Some researchers have hypothesized that drugs that interfere with the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), including angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), may increase susceptibility to coronaviruses. This hypothesis is based…
Three Kidneys
Figure 1.
Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Blockers and the Risk of Covid-19
Studies in animals have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a membrane-bound aminopeptidase that is abundantly expressed in the lungs, the heart, and other tissues, is used by coronaviruses as a functional receptor for their entrance into the cells. Angiotensin-receptor
Ingestion of Caustic Substances
Caustic substances injure tissue by means of a chemical reaction on direct physical contact. Often thought of as acids or bases, caustics broadly include desiccants, vesicants, and protoplasmic poisons. The term “corrosive” is often used interchangeably with “caustic,” but corrosion
Covid-19 and Kidney Transplantation
To the Editor: Kidney-transplant recipients appear to be at particularly high risk for critical Covid-19 illness due to chronic immunosuppression and coexisting conditions. At Montefiore Medical Center, we identified 36 consecutive adult kidney-transplant recipients who tested positive for Covid-19…
Management of Coronary Disease in Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease. The presence of kidney disease has been associated with an increased risk of procedural complications (including renal injury) from coronary angiography and revascularization, and it is
Managing Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
The preferred contemporary approach to the management of stable ischemic heart disease, also referred to as chronic coronary syndrome, is not well defined. Two strategies are commonly used. The conservative strategy uses guideline-based medical therapy, including antianginal drugs as well
Case 11-2020: A 37-Year-Old Man with Facial Droop, Dysarthria, and Kidney Failure
Presentation of Case. Dr. Sarimer Sanchez (Medicine): A 37-year-old man was admitted to this hospital because of a facial droop, dysarthria, and kidney failure. The patient had been well until 1 week before admission, when weakness of the right arm
Managing Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
The preferred contemporary approach to the management of stable ischemic heart disease, also referred to as chronic coronary syndrome, is not well defined. Two strategies are commonly used. The conservative strategy uses guideline-based medical therapy, including antianginal drugs as well
Case 11-2020: A 37-Year-Old Man with Facial Droop, Dysarthria, and Kidney Failure
Presentation of Case. Dr. Sarimer Sanchez (Medicine): A 37-year-old man was admitted to this hospital because of a facial droop, dysarthria, and kidney failure. The patient had been well until 1 week before admission, when weakness of the right arm
Managing Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
The preferred contemporary approach to the management of stable ischemic heart disease, also referred to as chronic coronary syndrome, is not well defined. Two strategies are commonly used. The conservative strategy uses guideline-based medical therapy, including antianginal drugs as well
Management of Coronary Disease in Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease. The presence of kidney disease has been associated with an increased risk of procedural complications (including renal injury) from coronary angiography and revascularization, and it is
Managing Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
The preferred contemporary approach to the management of stable ischemic heart disease, also referred to as chronic coronary syndrome, is not well defined. Two strategies are commonly used. The conservative strategy uses guideline-based medical therapy, including antianginal drugs as well
Management of Coronary Disease in Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease. The presence of kidney disease has been associated with an increased risk of procedural complications (including renal injury) from coronary angiography and revascularization, and it is
Managing Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
The preferred contemporary approach to the management of stable ischemic heart disease, also referred to as chronic coronary syndrome, is not well defined. Two strategies are commonly used. The conservative strategy uses guideline-based medical therapy, including antianginal drugs as well
Case 10-2020: An 83-Year-Old Man with Pancytopenia and Acute Renal Failure
Presentation of Case. Dr. Christian C. Mewaldt (Medicine): An 83-year-old man was transferred to this hospital because of pancytopenia and acute renal failure. Five days before this presentation, the patient was found conscious on his bedroom floor; he had been
Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica
Figure 1.
Lower Blood Pressure in South Asia? Trial Evidence
The report by Jafar et al. in this issue of the Journal suggests that a low-cost intervention, if scaled up, “might translate into substantial reductions in premature deaths and disability.” This potential benefit arises from the reduction in systolic blood
A Community-Based Intervention for Managing Hypertension in Rural South Asia
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the leading attributable risk factor for death globally. Treatment of hypertension reduces risk, but less than one third of persons with hypertension have controlled blood pressure. Asians have enhanced susceptibility to vascular disease. Uncontrolled blood…
Lower Blood Pressure in South Asia? Trial Evidence
The report by Jafar et al. in this issue of the Journal suggests that a low-cost intervention, if scaled up, “might translate into substantial reductions in premature deaths and disability.” This potential benefit arises from the reduction in systolic blood
A Community-Based Intervention for Managing Hypertension in Rural South Asia
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the leading attributable risk factor for death globally. Treatment of hypertension reduces risk, but less than one third of persons with hypertension have controlled blood pressure. Asians have enhanced susceptibility to vascular disease. Uncontrolled blood…
Lower Blood Pressure in South Asia? Trial Evidence
The report by Jafar et al. in this issue of the Journal suggests that a low-cost intervention, if scaled up, “might translate into substantial reductions in premature deaths and disability.” This potential benefit arises from the reduction in systolic blood
A Community-Based Intervention for Managing Hypertension in Rural South Asia
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the leading attributable risk factor for death globally. Treatment of hypertension reduces risk, but less than one third of persons with hypertension have controlled blood pressure. Asians have enhanced susceptibility to vascular disease. Uncontrolled blood…
ANCA-Associated Vasculitis — Refining Therapy with Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids
Plasma exchange has been a mainstay of induction therapy for patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis who have rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis or diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Clinical data, in vitro data, and data from studies in animals have shown that…
Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids in Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and premature death remain common among patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis who present with reduced kidney function or pulmonary hemorrhage. Poor outcomes are attributed to a delay in diagnosis and to the use of
ANCA-Associated Vasculitis — Refining Therapy with Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids
Plasma exchange has been a mainstay of induction therapy for patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis who have rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis or diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Clinical data, in vitro data, and data from studies in animals have shown that…
Organ Donation after Medical Assistance in Dying — Canada’s First Cases
To the Editor: In 2016, following the Supreme Court of Canada’s Carter Decision, medical assistance in dying (MAID) became possible with individual court orders. However, owing to the lack of a centrally coordinated Canadian response to the requests of some
Soluble Urokinase Receptor and Acute Kidney Injury
The incidence of acute kidney injury is increasing globally. Acute kidney injury occurs in 2 to 5% of hospitalized adults and has a major effect on morbidity and health care utilization. The largest burden of acute kidney injury occurs in
Risk Prediction for Acute Kidney Injury — Super Important, Now suPAR Easy?
Risk prediction is an inherently challenging, routine clinical necessity — used during initial emergency department presentation, in the intensive care unit (ICU), and in the evaluation of patients for elective procedures such as coronary angiography or surgery. Routine laboratory determinations…
A Phase 3 Trial of Difelikefalin in Hemodialysis Patients with Pruritus
Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus, also known as uremic pruritus, is a common, distressing, and underrecognized condition that affects more than 60% of patients undergoing hemodialysis, with 20 to 40% of patients reporting moderate-to-severe pruritus. Intense and generalized systemic…
Case 2-2020: A 64-Year-Old Man with Fever and Respiratory Failure
Presentation of Case. Dr. Blake A. Niccum (Medicine): A 64-year-old man was admitted to this hospital in the spring because of acute renal failure. The patient had been generally well until 4.5 months before this admission, when fevers, malaise, mild
A Phase 3 Trial of Difelikefalin in Hemodialysis Patients with Pruritus
Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus, also known as uremic pruritus, is a common, distressing, and underrecognized condition that affects more than 60% of patients undergoing hemodialysis, with 20 to 40% of patients reporting moderate-to-severe pruritus. Intense and generalized systemic…
Case 2-2020: A 64-Year-Old Man with Fever and Respiratory Failure
Presentation of Case. Dr. Blake A. Niccum (Medicine): A 64-year-old man was admitted to this hospital in the spring because of acute renal failure. The patient had been generally well until 4.5 months before this admission, when fevers, malaise, mild
A Phase 3 Trial of Difelikefalin in Hemodialysis Patients with Pruritus
Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus, also known as uremic pruritus, is a common, distressing, and underrecognized condition that affects more than 60% of patients undergoing hemodialysis, with 20 to 40% of patients reporting moderate-to-severe pruritus. Intense and generalized systemic…
Detection of Donor’s HIV Strain in HIV-Positive Kidney-Transplant Recipient
To the Editor: The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act allows persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to accept HIV-positive donor organs. An analysis of viral quasispecies from donor and recipient provides an opportunity to determine whether the
When the Cause Is Not Crystal Clear
Foreword. In this Journal feature, information about a real patient is presented in stages (boldface type) to an expert clinician, who responds to the information by sharing relevant background and reasoning with the reader (regular type). The authors’ commentary follows.
A Phase 3 Trial of Difelikefalin in Hemodialysis Patients with Pruritus
Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus, also known as uremic pruritus, is a common, distressing, and underrecognized condition that affects more than 60% of patients undergoing hemodialysis, with 20 to 40% of patients reporting moderate-to-severe pruritus. Intense and generalized systemic…
Acute Severe Hypertension
Foreword. This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author’s clinical recommendations. Stage.
Purple Urine after Catheterization
Figure 1.
More about Factor H Autoantibodies in Membranous Nephropathy
To the Editor: Primary membranous nephropathy, one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults, results from the deposition of IgG and complement components in the subepithelial layer of the glomerular basement membrane. In 70 to 80% of
Longer-Term Outcomes of HIV-Positive–to–HIV-Positive Renal Transplantation
To the Editor: The longer-term clinical outcomes of renal transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–positive patients who have received organs from HIV-positive donors, as well as the potential risks associated with donor-derived HIV superinfection among such patients, are unknown. We…
Roxadustat for Anemia in Patients with Kidney Disease Not Receiving Dialysis
Chronic kidney disease is a global public health challenge that affects approximately 10% of the population worldwide, including 120 million people in China. Anemia (defined as a hemoglobin level of In China, this situation is reflected by low hemoglobin levels
Roxadustat and Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease
Until 1989, when recombinant erythropoietin therapy was first approved, anemia of chronic kidney disease could be treated only symptomatically with blood transfusions. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents were able to increase patients’ hemoglobin levels to between 9 and 11 g per deciliter, resulting…
Vocal Cord Metastasis
Figure 1.
Oral Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes, and the ruling out of an excess cardiovascular risk is a regulatory requirement for new glucose-lowering therapies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are well-established glucose-lowering…
Combating EPA Rollbacks — Health Care’s Response to a Retreat on Climate
The world’s climate crisis has spared no one. Science tells us that the harms of climate change will worsen with time if we fail to take substantial actions now to reduce carbon pollution. In the United States, the growing burden
Cholesterol Crystal Embolization after Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement
Figure 1.
Implementation Science for the Bedside
Early in the morning, my intern told the patient that his kidneys had quit working, that he was in danger from electrolyte derangements, and that dialysis could save his life. In the 24 hours since his admission to the hospital,
Combating EPA Rollbacks — Health Care’s Response to a Retreat on Climate
The world’s climate crisis has spared no one. Science tells us that the harms of climate change will worsen with time if we fail to take substantial actions now to reduce carbon pollution. In the United States, the growing burden
Case 22-2019: A 65-Year-Old Woman with Weakness, Dark Urine, and Dysphagia
Presentation of Case. Dr. Doll L. Golden (Medicine): A 65-year-old woman was admitted to this hospital because of falls, weakness, dark urine, and difficulty swallowing. Approximately 35 years before the current admission, the patient underwent staged male-to-female sex reassignment surgery
Effect of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure on Cardiovascular Outcomes
Thresholds for hypertension and prevailing concepts about hypertension have shifted over time. Constructs about the consequences of isolated diastolic, isolated systolic, and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension evolved in the 1960s, with a prevailing notion that only diastolic hypertension…
Case 22-2019: A 65-Year-Old Woman with Weakness, Dark Urine, and Dysphagia
Presentation of Case. Dr. Doll L. Golden (Medicine): A 65-year-old woman was admitted to this hospital because of falls, weakness, dark urine, and difficulty swallowing. Approximately 35 years before the current admission, the patient underwent staged male-to-female sex reassignment surgery
Rituximab or Cyclosporine in the Treatment of Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy is the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in white adults. Spontaneous remission occurs in approximately 30% of affected patients, and among patients who continue to have nephrotic syndrome, end-stage renal disease develops in 40 to 50% over a
A First Step toward a New Approach to Treating Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy, the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults (approximate incidence among white adults without diabetes, 8 to 10 cases per million population per year), is the result of IgG deposition in the subepithelial space of glomerular capillaries. Strategies
Rituximab or Cyclosporine in the Treatment of Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy is the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in white adults. Spontaneous remission occurs in approximately 30% of affected patients, and among patients who continue to have nephrotic syndrome, end-stage renal disease develops in 40 to 50% over a
A First Step toward a New Approach to Treating Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy, the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults (approximate incidence among white adults without diabetes, 8 to 10 cases per million population per year), is the result of IgG deposition in the subepithelial space of glomerular capillaries. Strategies
Comparison of Dual Therapies for Lowering Blood Pressure in Black Africans
Increased blood pressure is the largest single contributor to the global burden of disease, leading to 10.4 million deaths in 2017. Extensive data from randomized trials have shown that lowering blood pressure reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Results from such
Combination Therapy as First-Line Treatment in Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma
The treatment of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma has been revolutionized twice in the past 12 years by data showing that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition can induce tumor shrinkage and increase progression-free survival and that immune checkpoint inhibitors can induce
Needed: Antimicrobial Development
Antimicrobial resistance continues to erode our therapeutic armamentarium for treating patients with bacterial infections. Clinicians are now encountering infections that are susceptible to few or even (although rarely) none of the available drugs. One of the multiple components of a
Once-Daily Plazomicin for Complicated Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections that are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Complicated UTIs are UTIs in patients who have underlying conditions, such as anatomical abnormalities, or risk factors, such as indwelling urinary…
Cutaneous Malakoplakia
Figure 1.
Bridging the Gap
A 21-year-old man was found unresponsive in a park, with a 1-gallon container of green liquid, approximately half of it gone, nearby. The label was not legible, but the liquid was presumed to be antifreeze. The man was brought to
Intravenous Iron in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis
Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis usually have a negative iron balance owing to reduced absorption and increased blood loss. The intravenous administration of iron has become standard care in the management of anemia, and large doses are increasingly used to reduce
Diagnostic Utility of Exome Sequencing for Kidney Disease
Targeted capture and sequencing of the protein-coding regions of the genome through exome sequencing is increasingly applied as a first-line diagnostic tool in clinical medicine, particularly for the diagnosis of metabolic and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, as well as for
Worldwide Frequencies of APOL1 Renal Risk Variants
To the Editor: Risk variants in the APOL1 gene on chromosome 22, which were first discovered in African Americans, confer a substantially increased risk of kidney disease, early-onset hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, although disease risk is modified by other genetic
Case 36-2018: A 29-Year-Old Man with an Incidentally Discovered Renal Mass
Presentation of Case. Dr. Keyan Salari (Urology): A 29-year-old man was seen at this hospital because of an incidentally discovered renal mass. The patient had been well until 6 weeks before this evaluation, when he identified a painless lump above
Complements from the Lung
Foreword. In this Journal feature, information about a real patient is presented in stages (boldface type) to an expert clinician, who responds to the information by sharing relevant background and reasoning with the reader (regular type). The authors’ commentary follows.
Dialysis-Facility Joint-Venture Ownership — Hidden Conflicts of Interest
Since 1972, when the U.S. government began covering the costs of dialysis for nearly all Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis has become big business. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) spent roughly $34 billion
Timing of Renal-Replacement Therapy in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury and Sepsis
Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) for septic shock and is associated with high mortality. Acute kidney injury associated with sepsis is characterized by a distinct pathophysiology, and patients with
Antibody-Mediated Rejection of Solid-Organ Allografts
End-stage organ diseases are responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. Organ transplantation has become the treatment of choice, but despite the 120,000 new organ transplantations performed each year, only 1 million persons worldwide have functioning solid-organ transplants because
Fatal Encephalitic Borna Disease Virus 1 in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients
To the Editor: Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1; species Mammalian 1 orthobornavirus) causes progressive meningoencephalitis, mainly in horses and sheep. Evidence of BoDV-1 infection in humans is limited. However, after the identification of a bornavirus transmitted by exotic pet squirrels
Uremic Frost in End-Stage Renal Disease
A 39-year-old man with end-stage renal disease presented to the emergency department with anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and oliguria. Five months earlier, he had stopped attending his regular hemodialysis sessions; he reported that he had thought that the sessions were not