Publications by authors named "Belinda Young"
Background: Greater weight-for-height has been associated with prolonged survival in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but not in the general population. The association between body size and health status has not been carefully evaluated.
Objectives: We compared the self-reported health status of 2467 participants in the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2 by using body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) to approximate body size and composition.
Background: Although obesity confers an increased risk of mortality in the general population, observational reports on the dialysis population have suggested that obesity is associated with improved survival. These reports have generally not examined extremely high values of body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)), survival >1 y, or alternative measures of adiposity.
Objective: We sought to clarify the relation between body size and outcomes among a large cohort of patients beginning dialysis.
Background: Parameters of nutritional status, including serum albumin, serum creatinine, and body mass index (BMI), are powerful predictors of mortality and hospitalization in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Patient-specific characteristics and facility-related practice patterns modify certain parameters of nutritional status. We aimed to determine whether patient and facility characteristics modify the risk profiles associated with malnutrition in hemodialysis patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the associations among dietary intake and inflammatory cytokines with physical activity, function, and performance in maintenance dialysis patients.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study.
Setting: University-affiliated dialysis units, general clinical research center.
Purpose: To determine the relation between cardiac and noncardiac complications and their effects on length of stay in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Methods: We collected detailed information from the history, physical examination, and preoperative tests of 3970 patients aged > or =50 years who were undergoing major noncardiac procedures. Serial electrocardiograms and cardiac enzyme measurements were performed perioperatively, and cardiac and noncardiac complications were recorded prospectively.
Background: Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between the duration (y) of dialysis and nutritional status, providing evidence of wasting.
Objective: The aim was to determine the extent, pace, determinants, and optimal methods of assessing wasting in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Design: Laboratory variables, body composition, and physical activity, function, and performance were tested 4 times over 1 y in 54 hemodialysis patients.
Background: Persons on peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis with preserved residual renal function experience lower mortality rates than those without. Previous studies have shown slower rates of decline of residual renal function for peritoneal dialysis (PD)(2 to 3% decrease/month), compared with hemodialysis (HD)(6 to 7% decrease/month). However, our clinical observations suggested a lower rate of decline in hemodialysis patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSecondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is an important complication of end-stage renal disease. However, SHPT begins during earlier stages of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), and little is known about risk factors for SHPT in this population. This study evaluated 218 patients in an ethnically diverse ambulatory nephrology practice at the University of California San Francisco during calendar years 1999 and 2000.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the associations among dietary intake and inflammatory cytokines with physical activity, function, and performance in maintenance dialysis patients.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study.
Setting: University-affiliated dialysis units, general clinical research center.