UNC to study end-of-life choices Oct 9, 2009
Researcher Mi-Kyung Song will recruit 200 patients with end-stage renal disease, along with their selected decision makers, to discuss their beliefs about their illness, chronic dialysis therapy and what treatment options they would prefer at the end of their lives. The goals of the study are to better prepare patients to make end-of-life decisions as well as to reduce the anxiety and depression that surrogates often feel when having to make those decisions. (Triangle Business Journal)
Exercise Extends Life of Kidney Patients Oct 9, 2009
"These data suggest that increased physical activity might have a survival benefit in the CKD population. This is particularly important as most patients with stage III CKD die before they develop end stage renal disease," wrote Dr. Srinivasan Beddhu, of Salt Lake City Veterans Administration Healthcare System and University of Utah, and colleagues. The study appeared online Oct. 8 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. Announces Closing of $22 Million Registered Direct Offering of Shares and Warrants Oct 6, 2009
Oct. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: - ), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company offering innovative products and services targeting end-stage renal disease (ERSD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and iron deficiency anemia, announced today that it has received gross proceeds of approximately $22 ... Rockwell is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company offering innovative products and services initially targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD),... (Primezone Releases)
Kidneys From Deceased Donors With Acute Renal Failure Expand Donor Pool Oct 3, 2009
This escalating disparity in the number of end stage renal disease patients on the waiting list relative to those actually receiving kidney transplants has been accompanied by a startling increase in the number of deaths while waiting for transplants, from 2,184 in 1997 to 4,456 in 2006. In addition, median waiting times for kidney transplants have doubled in the last decade. (Science Daily)
$68M in HEAL funds coming to WNY Sep 26, 2009
Under the HEAL NY Phase 10, two grants were awarded locally totaling $14 million, part of $60 million awarded statewide for community-based health information technology (IT) projects to build a more streamlined approach to sharing patient information: HealtheLink, $7 million to improve patient care coordination and management; and , $7 million to improve end-stage renal disease outcomes with interoperable health information management. Another $30 million was awarded to local groups under Phase... (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Give Your Kidneys a Break: Lose Some Weight Sep 19, 2009
Currently more than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and it's estimated that by 2015 there will be more than 700,000 people with the most advanced form of kidney disease known as end-stage renal disease or ESRD.. "The health care costs that are associated with this increase are staggering," Navaneethan and colleagues note. (MEDLINEplus)
Weight Loss Is Good For The Kidneys, Study Finds Sep 19, 2009
5, 2006) Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have determined that there is a strong relationship between being obese and developing end-stage renal disease, or kidney. (July 3, 2009) Researchers have found a treatment that significantly slows the progression of eye injury in people with type 1 diabetes, a common complication caused by this disease. (Science Daily)
NxStage Patient Takes Dialysis Machine on Third Annual Patient Good-Will Tour Sep 19, 2009
NxStage Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ) is a medical device company, headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA, that develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for the treatment of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and acute kidney failure. For more information on NxStage and its products, please visit NxStage's website at. (PR Newswire)
* Transplant policy looks penny wise, pound foolish Sep 15, 2009
Most of the cost of the dialysis and the transplant, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, was absorbed by the federal Medicare program, which provides broad coverage for those with end-stage renal disease. Federal law, however, limits Medicare reimbursement for the immunosuppressant drugs that transplant recipients must take for life, at costs of US$1,000 to US$3,000 a month. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
NYT: Medicare policy forces new transplant Sep 15, 2009
Most of the cost of the dialysis and the transplant, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, was absorbed by the federal Medicare program, which provides broad coverage for those with end-stage renal disease. Limits on reimbursementDespite that heavy investment, federal law limits Medicare reimbursement for the immunosuppressant drugs that transplant recipients must take for life, at costs of $1,000 to $3,000 a month. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Medicare covers transplants, but limits drugs to 36 months Sep 15, 2009
Most of the cost of the dialysis and the transplant, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, was absorbed by the federal Medicare program, which provides broad coverage for those with end-stage renal disease ... Since 1973, end-stage renal disease has been the only condition specifically covered by Medicare regardless of age ... Most of the cost of the dialysis and the transplant, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, was absorbed by the federal Medicare program, which provides broad... (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Patients With Renal Disease Under-treated After Myocardial Infarction Sep 7, 2009
(July 9, 2008) Patients with kidney disease -- especially end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis -- are less likely to receive recommended medications after a heart attack, reports a new. (Feb. (Science Daily)
Kidney doctors concerned by Medicare financing Sep 3, 2009
The 2006 costs of an end-stage renal disease patient compared with other Medicare beneficiaries. Sources: MEDPAC; A Data Book: Healthcare spending and the Medicare program, June 2009. (USA Today -- News)
Every health plan has its limits Sep 2, 2009
He's also been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis three times a week to survive. Stief feels their story speaks to the need for a public option in health care reform, so that others don't encounter the fear and uncertainty they've faced about how to pay for his care since the beginning of the year. (Florida Today)
NxStage to Present at the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference Sep 2, 2009
NxStage Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ) is a medical device company, headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA, that develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for the treatment of end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, and acute kidney failure. For more information on NxStage and its products, please visit the company's website at. (PR Newswire)
Blood Thinner Causes Stroke In Some Dialysis Patients, Study Suggests Aug 29, 2009
To investigate, Kevin Chan, MD, Michael Lazarus, MD, Raymond Hakim, MD, PhD (Fresenius Medical Care North America); and Ravi Thadhani, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital), studied 1,671 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation who started dialysis in clinics operated by Fresenius Medical Care North America. Patients' health was monitored for an average of 1. (Science Daily)
Dialysis: High costs, mortality Aug 24, 2009
The End Stage Renal Disease Program doesn't address prevention, a major focus of the health care debate ... Many blame Medicare's End Stage Renal Disease Program ... When signed the 1972 bill establishing the End Stage Renal Disease Program, only 10,000 Americans were on dialysis, and more than one-third were doing it at home. (USA Today)
Many reasons exist to reform U.S. health care Aug 23, 2009
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the only medical condition covered under Medicare for persons under the age of 65 whose kidneys have failed. And Medicare has helped keep Hartwell alive and healthy. (Fresno Bee)
Guaranteed Health Insurance in Cali... Aug 18, 2009
Not eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B unless eligible solely due to end stage renal disease. Not eligible for COBRA or Cal-COBRA coverage. (Suite101.com)
Liberals are warned a health-care deal may be cut Aug 17, 2009
1972 Disabled persons under age 65 and those with end-stage renal disease become eligible. Chiropractic services, speech & physical therapy added. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Nephros Reports 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results Aug 15, 2009
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Products ... The Nephros hemodiafiltration ("HDF") system is designed to improve the quality of life for the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patient while addressing the critical financial and clinical needs of the care provider. (PR Newswire)
Colo. shares in settlement over med kits Aug 12, 2009
Nichols Institute Diagnostics made a kit used to test patients with end-stage renal disease to determine if they had overactive parathyroid glands. The tests showed an unusually high number of positive results, the AG's office said. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Prehypertension, Obesity And Kidney Disease Risks Aug 12, 2009
At the same time, obesity is also known to lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and death from chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a result of diabetes and hypertension. These increased risks have led medical researchers to consider whether people with prehypertension should be considered for treatment if they have other cardiovascular risks, such as obesity. (Science Daily)
Immunoglobulin Can Predict Some Diabetic Complications Aug 11, 2009
"We found that those with increased urinary IgM excretion had a higher mortality from cardiovascular causes and higher disease progression rate to end-stage renal disease. This association is largely independent of the level of albuminuria.". Bakoush said the "findings may offer a new approach to manage this rapidly increasing patient population. While measurement of albuminuria is routinely used to evaluate and manage patients with diabetes, increased urine IgM excretion would identify more... (MEDLINEplus)
U.S. Medicare's Recovery Audit Cont... Aug 11, 2009
Today, it covers various other groups including those citizen with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) ... Today, it covers various other groups including those citizen with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). (Suite101.com)
IgM In Urine Acts As Prognostic Indicator In Diabetes Aug 6, 2009
He said, "To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the impact of increased urine IgM excretion on DN disease progression in type 1 diabetic patients. We found that those with increased urinary IgM excretion had a higher mortality from cardiovascular causes, and higher disease progression rate to end-stage renal disease. This association is largely independent of the level of albuminuria" ... Patients with increased urine IgM excretion, measured by ELISA at the beginning of the... (Science Daily)
Urinary IgM prognostic in type 1 diabetes Aug 5, 2009
Overall 32 (14 male and 18 female) patients died in a cardiovascular event and 20 (11 male and 9 female) patients reached end-stage renal disease ... Stratified analysis demonstrated that in patients with different degrees of albuminuria, the cardiovascular mortality rate and the incidence of end-stage renal disease was approximately three times higher in patients with increased urine IgM excretion. (BioMed Central)
New Approach To Screening For Serious Kidney Disease Aug 1, 2009
Of these, 124 progressed to end-stage renal disease after 10. 3 years. (Science Daily)
Letters to the editor (8/1/09) Aug 1, 2009
For example, African-Americans and other minorities are three times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than Caucasians. Although it is possible for a candidate to match a donor from another racial or ethnic group, transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic background. (Anchorage Daily News)
Protein Excreted In Urine May Be Help In Diagnosing Kidney Disease Caused By HIV Jul 25, 2009
"From what we can tell, NGAL is unexpectedly expressed in great abundance by kidney cysts allowing the clinician to potentially identify HIVAN among other types of chronic kidney diseases and hopefully to intervene to prevent a kidney from ultimately dying from what physicians refer to as ESRD, or 'end-stage renal disease,'" Dr. Barasch says. Dr. Barasch cautions that studying a much larger human cohort would be needed in order to determine the precise relationship of NGAL to HIVAN and whether... (Science Daily)
Baking Soda May Be Key Ingredient for Kidney Patients Jul 21, 2009
These patients were also less likely to develop end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. The findings appeared online July 16 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. (MEDLINEplus)
Baking Soda: For Cooking, Cleaning, And Kidney Health? Jul 18, 2009
Patients taking sodium bicarbonate were also less likely to develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis. Patients taking sodium bicarbonate also had improvement in several measures of nutrition. (Science Daily)
'THE BEST OPTION': Renowned Paraguay surgeon consults with local arteriovenous access expert Jul 14, 2009
Dr. Adrian Ebner, chief of the cardiovascular surgery department at the French Hospital in Asuncion, Paraguay, and Ross, who has had his surgical practice in Bamberg for more than 20 years, are pioneering new arteriovenous access devices for end-stage renal disease patients and have established a cooperative international relationship designed to improve patient outcomes. Ebner's interest is establishing new AV access clinics in his country brought him to Bamberg, where he says the exchange of... (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
U.S. Non-Profit Announces Opening of Life-Saving Dialysis Facility in Philippines Jul 12, 2009
DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. Recognized as the only FORTUNE 500(R) company on WorldBlu's annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces(TM). (PR Newswire)
More dialysis centers crop up as chronic disease rates rise Jul 11, 2009
Currently, there are 116 licensed dialysis centers, or end-stage renal disease facilities, that operate in Alabama. Operators and developers of the facilities say the increase in the number of patients with end stage renal disease is the main driver to open these facilities in Alabama, where double the national average of citizens are diagnosed with kidney disease. (Birmingham Business Journal, AL)
Summary for Patients Jul 7, 2009
The damaged system first leaks small and then large amounts of protein into the urine, and the damaged kidneys eventually fail (this condition is called end-stage renal disease) ... The researchers had limited ability to detect important differences in kidney outcomes between groups because few patients developed end-stage renal disease that required dialysis ... End-stage renal disease may not occur until many years after a person first develops macroalbuminuria. (Annals of Internal Medicine)
Diabetes Complications and the Renin–Angiotensin System Jul 2, 2009
1 Positive findings from studies in animal models and subsequent clinical trials fostered enthusiastic hope that systematic use of agents blocking the renin angiotensin system in the management of diabetic nephropathy would reduce the risk of end-stage renal disease. 2,3,4 Out of such studies was born a concept that gained wide acceptance: inhibition of the renin angiotensin system in patients with diabetes is beneficial with regard to both early and advanced stages of nephropathy. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Older kidney transplant patients should more often consider live donors Jun 25, 2009
About 50 percent of the more than half a million people in the United States who have end-stage renal disease are older than 60. In medically eligible patients, kidney transplantation gives a better survival chance than dialysis. (EurekAlert!)
This is the summer for health reform Jun 18, 2009
In one worst-case example, Alaska Medicaid recently paid $379,000 for one patient with end-stage renal disease caused by diabetes. Personal decisions about diet, exercise and tobacco will make the biggest difference, but health reform must promote healthy decision-making. (Anchorage Daily News)
MSPRC MSP Case Analyst I Jun 5, 2009
Supports the MSPRC by determining Medicares responsibility for claims involving other parties, such as Workers Compensation, the Working Aged, Auto/Liability/No Fault, Disability, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Black Lung, and Veteran Administrations (VA). Responsible for ensuring payments and adjustments of claims have occurred in accordance with MSP laws, and will initiate recovery of mistaken payments in accordance with the laws established for each category. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Blue Cross Ga. hit with class action suit Jun 4, 2009
In March, a federal court judge in Atlanta dismissed the suit, saying Blue Cross decision to amend its reimbursement rates for dialysis performed at out-of-network facilities like the Alliance s did not violate the act s provisions that prohibit insurers from discriminating against individuals with end-stage renal disease. Reader Comments. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
Meredith Mathews, M.D. Named Chief Medical Officer for Blue Shield of California Jun 3, 2009
Most recently, Dr. Mathews served as chief medical officer for DaVita VillageHealth, where he oversaw the company's disease and care management programs for patients with end stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease. Prior to DaVita, Dr. Mathews was chief medical officer for LifeMasters Supported Self Care Inc, a disease management company. (PR Newswire)
Pamela M. Arway Joins DaVita Board of Directors May 29, 2009
DaVita Inc. is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita manages more than 1,475 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 114,000 patients. (PR Newswire)
Long-Term Consequences of Kidney Donation May 28, 2009
Also missing are considerations of the effect of unique regional practices and rates of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), socioeconomic influences, access to health care, educational level, and lifestyle choices. We would argue that the good. (New England Journal of Medicine)
3-D Kidney Atlas Created For Researchers And Physicians May 25, 2009
27, 2008) Acute kidney injury, which is often caused by trauma, illness, or surgery, predisposes elderly individuals to the most serious form of chronic kidney disease, known as end stage renal disease. (Aug. (Science Daily)
Tips from the American Journal of Pathology May 22, 2009
Only a minority of patients with chronic kidney disease progress to end-stage renal disease. However, current clinical markers are not sufficient to reliably predict chronic kidney disease progression, which would allow for targeted treatment of high-risk patients. (EurekAlert!)
Antiplatelet Therapy and Vascular-Access Patency May 21, 2009
Current predictions estimate that by the year 2020, more than 750,000 people in the United States alone will have end-stage renal disease and over 500,000 will require hemodialysis. 1 The success of hemodialysis depends on a well-functioning vascular access, which may be considered the patient's lifeline. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Low Blood Sugar a Danger for Kidney Patients May 21, 2009
Glucose control is the key to preventing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in CKD patients with diabetes. However, managing diabetes in CKD patients can be complicated, as patients reduced kidney function can affect how they react to anti-diabetes medications. (Newsmax)
System is incomprehensible May 14, 2009
I have end-stage renal disease, which means my kidneys are dead and kidney dialysis keeps me alive. I get dialysis three times a week from the absolute best RNs and techs working. (Longview Daily News, WA)
More Evidence For The Benefit Of Exercise In Cardiovascular Disease -- And Even In Heart Failure May 13, 2009
6, 2008) For patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis who also must be treated for heart disease, stents provide the best one-year survival compared with other revascularization treatments, but. (Oct. (Science Daily)
Kidney disease increases cancer risk May 7, 2009
Researchers, led by Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia, have carried out the study and found that people with end-stage renal disease and kidney transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing cancers. According to them, some evidence suggests inflammation caused by CKD may contribute to development of cancer. (India Times, India)
Chronic Kidney Disease Raises Risk for Some Cancers May 5, 2009
The observation -- which suggests a bump in the risk for lung and/or urinary cancer, but not prostate cancer -- adds to previous evidence that patients with end-stage renal disease and those undergoing kidney transplantation are at an increased risk for developing a malignancy. Results of the research effort, led by Dr. Germaine Wong from the Center for Transplant and Renal Research at Children's Hospital in Westmead, Australia, are being published in the April 30 online issue of the Journal of... (MEDLINEplus)
SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic And Rich In Cysteine) In Kidney Disease May 4, 2009
16, 2008) The unwanted activation of an important cell-signaling pathway may play a role in two kidney problems that are major causes of end-stage renal disease, scientists have found. Their research opens up. (Science Daily)
Each day with Cain is a gift May 4, 2009
He was born with end-stage renal disease, which means his kidneys don t work. He survived, spending the first three months of his life in the hospital at Cardinal Glennon. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Winners, Losers Of 2009 Session May 3, 2009
Provide greater access to medical insurance coverage needed to get on waiting lists for kidney transplants for patients under 65 with end-stage renal disease through a bill named for former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning. Shorten the times families must wait before switching to the state-backed KidCare program after they've lost private insurance coverage for their children and to reapply if they have been kicked out of the program for failing to pay premiums. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Can Kidney Disease Cause Cancer? May 2, 2009
People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing cancer, but little is known about the cancer risks of individuals with milder kidney dysfunction. To investigate, Germaine Wong, MD (Childrens Hospital at Westmead, Australia), and her colleagues studied data from 3654 Australians aged 49 to 97 years who were followed for an average of 10 years. (Newsmax)
Your views: Tallahassee two-step May 2, 2009
This act provides Florida end-stage renal disease patients under age 65 access to Medigap coverage assistance. Last year, as a former legislative aide to Altman, I pursued the Republican nomination for House District 30. (Florida Today)
Fresenius Medical Chief Lipps Sees Profitability on U.S. Medicare Patients May 1, 2009
We dont believe that there will be a major impact for dialysis with respect to coverage, since all patients with end-stage renal disease are covered, Lipps said. There has been some overreacting. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Kidney Care Partners Applauds Governor Sebelius's Appointment as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Apr 29, 2009
"And during this critical crossroads for our nation's healthcare system, it is imperative that all sectors of government and of healthcare work in unison with a focus on patient needs to ensure the delivery of quality health care," added Thiry, noting the importance of disease management and care coordination in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patient outcomes and in reforming the nation's health care system. "The kidney community has been at the forefront of health care reform with quality... (PR Newswire)
Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. Announces Updated DSMB Interim Results; No Safety Issues Reported Apr 16, 2009
April 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. (NasdaqGM: - ), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company offering innovative products and services targeting end-stage renal disease (ERSD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and iron deficiency anemia, reported today that the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) providing oversight for the ongoing SFP Phase 2b dose-range study reviewed the unblinded cumulative interim study data and informed the Company that it... (Primezone Releases)
Improved Care for Kidney Patients Reduces Medicare Costs and Saves Taxpayers Money Apr 14, 2009
Medicare costs for CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) exceed $70 billion annually according to United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data. IPRO is one of only eleven organizations from across the country that has been chosen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to work on a new pilot project that has the potential to both help patients and save taxpayers a substantial amount of money. (PR Newswire)
Test Predicts Who Will Develop End-stage Renal Disease Apr 12, 2009
11, 2009) Measuring kidney function by assessing two different factors glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary albumin levels helps determine which patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) will develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to a study appearing in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN) ... 20, 2007) Approximately ten percent of U.S. adults have a family history of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and these individuals appear to be at... (Science Daily)
New Keppra XR(TM) Dosage Strength Offers Simplified Treatment Option for People Living With Partial-Onset Seizures Apr 11, 2009
In patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis, it is recommended that immediate-release Keppra(R) be used instead of Keppra XR(TM). Please see Keppra. (PR Newswire)
Tracking Acute Kidney Injury Apr 4, 2009
15, 2008) Even small increases in serum creatinine levels during hospitalization raise the risk of end stage renal disease and mortality of elderly patients over the long term, according to a new. . (Science Daily)
Making The List: Disparities In Kidney Transplant Waiting Lists Apr 3, 2009
To understand this disparity, Rachel Patzer, MPH, Sandra Amaral, MD, and their colleagues at Emory University in Atlanta analyzed data from 1998 to 2002 of 35,346 patients in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina who had end-stage renal disease (ESRD). They found that black patients were less likely than whites to be placed on the kidney transplant waiting list, and this disparity was not associated with the distance to the nearest transplant center. (Science Daily)
