An interesting case was reported in Nephrology this month that highlights the importance of questioning whether or not a lab result is true. This is a very important skill for all internists but particularly nephrologists who are dependent…
Not really a nephrology post but in view of all that happened at the time of the Marathon bombing, I felt that I should highlight an article posted in JAMA this week. Although 3 people unfortunately died as…
This month’s issue of NDT has an interesting debate concerning whether or not clinical laboratories should start reporting CKD-EPI GFR instead of MDRD. The pro side is here while the con side is here. Basically, the argument for…
For the final part of the series on Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease, we’ll focus on the relevant clinical trials. Again, for full attribution, the primary source for this is the excellent review at Nature Reviews Nephrology. Parts…
In the second post on vitamin D and CV disease (again largely summarizing this excellent review in Nature Reviews Nephrology), we look at the epidemiological evidence for the association of low vitamin D levels and CVD. 1. Hypertension:…
Another excellent review from the people at Nature Reviews Nephrology on the relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. Some key points: Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease but, given the…
Bill Peckham, the author of the excellent patient advocacy and home dialysis blog: dialysis from the sharp end of the needle has been on dialysis since 1990 and home dialysis since 2001 where self-cannulates using the buttonhole method….
Following on from yesterday’s update on membranous nephropathy, I thought that this would be a good time to give an update on the treatment of another, very common glomerular disease: IgA nephropathy. IgA has been covered extensively on…
The excellent drug development blog “In the pipeline” highlighted a fascinating phase 2 trial that is ongoing at the moment. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine phsophodiesterase inhibitor that has been used to treat peripheral vascular disease. It is also…
For anyone who would like to read a thorough review of the current evidence with regard to Hb targets and the use of ESAs in patients with CKD and those on dialysis, I strongly recommend the review published…
