Progression of Vascular Calcification and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Receiving Maintenance Dialysis.

Importance: Baseline findings from the China Dialysis Calcification Study (CDCS) revealed a high prevalence of vascular calcification (VC) among patients with end-stage kidney disease; however, data on VC progression were limited.

Objectives: To understand the progression of VC at different anatomical sites, identify risk factors for VC progression, and assess the association of VC progression with the risk of cardiovascular events and death among patients receiving maintenance dialysis.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study was a 4-year follow-up assessment of participants in the CDCS, a nationwide multicenter prospective cohort study involving patients aged 18 to 74 years who were undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injection replacing epoetin alfa injection for the treatment of renal anemia in Chinese hemodialysis patients: A randomized, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority phase III trial.

Background: This study was to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injection replacing epoetin alfa injection (recombinant human erythropoietin injection, rHuEPO) for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney failure in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Method: This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, intergroup parallel control phase III noninferiority trial from April 19, 2013 to September 9, 2014 at 25 sites. In this study, the members of the darbepoetin alfa group underwent intravenous administration once per week or once every two weeks.

Darbepoetin alfa injection versus epoetin alfa injection for treating anemia of Chinese hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney failure: A randomized, open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority Phase III trail.

Background: Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that mainly regulates erythropoiesis. In patients with chronic renal failure with anemia, darbepoetin alfa can stimulate erythropoiesis, correct anemia, and maintain hemoglobin levels. This study was designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injections as being not inferior to epoetin alfa injections (Recombinant Human Erythropoietin injection, rHuEPO) when maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels within the target range (10.

Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine combined with Western medicine on deferring dialysis initiation for nondialysis chronic kidney disease stage 5 patients: a multicenter prospective nonrandomized controlled study.

Background: In clinical practice, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) purportedly has beneficial therapeutic effects for chronic kidney disease (CKD), which include delaying disease progression and dialysis initiation. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based results to support this. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CHM combined with Western medicine in the treatment of stage 5 CKD.

Efficacy and safety of Shenyankangfu Tablet, a Chinese patent medicine, for primary glomerulonephritis: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Objective: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium.

Design, Setting, Participants And Intervention: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

[Correlation between Ameliorated Kawashima Itch Scale and Visual Analogue Scale].

Objective To preliminarily validate the clinical usability of the ameliorated Kawashima Itch Scale(Xie-Kawashima Itch Scale) among adult pruritic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Methods Xie-Kawashima Itch Scale was developed on the basis of Kawashima Itch Scale. Patients were asked to record their pruritus condition according to Xie-Kawashima Itch Scale or visual analogue scale(VAS) during daytime and night for two weeks.

Assessment of creatinine and cystatin C-based eGFR equations in Chinese older adults with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation equations using creatinine and Cystatin-C appear to be superior to those based on creatinine or Cystatin-C in older adults. We sought to compare the performances of those based on creatinine and Cystatin-C in Chinese older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: A total of 368 Chinese elderly with CKD underwent the dynamic imaging with technetium-m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (mTc-DTPA), and serum creatinine and Cystatin-C were measured on the same day.

Prevalence and risk factors for vascular calcification in Chinese patients receiving dialysis: baseline results from a prospective cohort study.

Objective: With limited data available on calcification prevalence in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis, the China Dialysis Calcification Study (CDCS) determined the prevalence of vascular/valvular calcification (VC) and association of risk factors in Chinese patients with prevalent hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: CKD patients undergoing HD/PD for ≥6 months were enrolled. Prevalence data for calcification and medical history were documented at baseline.

The prevalence and risk factors of abnormal circadian blood pressure in patients with IgA nephropathy .

Aims: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of abnormal circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm among IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients.

Materials And Methods: 375 Chinese IgAN patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN were recruited from June 2013 to December 2014 and divided into four groups based on circadian BP rhythm (dippers, non-dippers, reversed dippers, and extreme dippers) measured by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were collected and analyzed.

Mortality and Associated Risk Factors in Dialysis Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

Background/aims: Although dialysis patients have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population, the mortality and associated risk factors in Asian dialysis patients with CVD have not been well examined.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, mortality and risk factors were investigated in 591 dialysis patients who were recruited from two dialysis centers from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2014. The Cox proportional hazards regression assessed adjusted differences in mortality risk.

Evaluation of glomerular filtration rate by different equations in Chinese elderly with chronic kidney disease.

Purpose: Performance of equations in elderly with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was debated. We aimed to access the performances of estimating equations for glomerular filtration rate in Chinese elderly population with chronic kidney disease.

Methods: Participants [N = 218, median age, 82 (range 75-96)] with CKD underwent renal dynamic imaging using technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA).

Prevalence and Impact on Stroke in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis versus Peritoneal Dialysis: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Patients undergoing maintenance dialysis are at increased risk of stroke, however, less is known about the prevalence and impact on stroke in the patients.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 590 patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD; n = 285) or peritoneal dialysis (PD; n = 305) from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012 were recruited. Baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin in the Prediction of Contrast-induced Nephropathy: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in the early diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and Embase until December 2014 for articles evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of plasma/serum and urinary NGAL levels to predict CIN. The primary analysis was based on a hierarchical, bivariate, generalized, linear, mixed model.

Sevelamer carbonate lowers serum phosphorus effectively in haemodialysis patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-titration study.

Background: Hyperphosphataemia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with adverse outcomes, including vascular calcification and higher mortality rates. While phosphate lowering is an integral aspect of CKD management, the efficacy and safety of phosphate binders in a contemporary cohort of Chinese haemodialysis patients (who have different genetics and dietary patterns than other populations) has not been previously described. Moreover, sparse data are available on strategies for optimal dose titration when transitioning from a calcium-based to a polymer-based phosphate binder.

Tacrolimus is an alternative therapy option for the treatment of adult steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a prospective, multicenter clinical trial.

Background: The optimal therapy for adult steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) remains a therapeutic challenge. We investigated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus as a promising regimen in Chinese adult patients.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter trial was conducted in 9 nephrology centers from 2006 to 2008, in patients with SRNS (defined as failure to respond to 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone for 8, and 16 weeks, in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis).

Outcomes of tacrolimus therapy in adults with refractory membranous nephrotic syndrome: a prospective, multicenter clinical trial.

Introduction: The treatment of adult refractory idiopathic membranous nephropathy with steroid and other immunosuppressant-resistant nephrotic syndrome can be a significant challenge. The authors investigated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) as a promising regimen.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter trial was conducted in 9 nephrology centers from 2006 to 2008.

[Effect of losartan on renal expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and transforming growth factor-β(1) in rats after unilateral ureteral obstruction].

Objective: To investigate the effect of losartan on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) and transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)) in the kidney of rats with unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO) and evaluate protective effect of losartan against reanal interstitial fibrosis.

Methods: Rat models of UUO were treated with losartan at the routine dose, high dose, and very high dose (50, 200, and 500 mg/kg daily, respectively), and saline was given to UUO model rats and rats with sham operation. At 7, 14, and 21 days, the tail cuff blood pressure (TCP), 24-h urine protein (Upro), serum Scr, BUN, K(+), percentage of renal damage and renal interstitial fibrosis (%INT) were measured in the rats.

Short-term outcomes of induction therapy with tacrolimus versus cyclophosphamide for active lupus nephritis: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Background: Intravenous cyclophosphamide with prednisone is an effective treatment for lupus nephritis, but with significant toxicities. We compared the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus versus intravenous cyclophosphamide as induction therapy.

Study Design: Multicenter noninferiority randomized controlled trial.

Correlation between serum anti-C1q antibody levels and renal pathological characteristics and prognostic significance of anti-C1q antibody in lupus nephritis.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum anti-C1q antibody levels and renal pathological characteristics in lupus nephritis as well as the prognostic significance of serum anti-C1q antibody.

Methods: Seventy-three patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis were enrolled. Anti-C1q antibody was measured in serum samples taken within 7 days before renal biopsy and remeasured at the end of the first and the third month after treatment.

[Significance of serum anti-Clq Ab in evaluation of lupus nephritis activity and its curative effects of pharmacotherapy on lupus nephritis].

Objective: To investigate the significance of serum anti-C1q Ab of evaluation of lupus nephritis activity and its curative effects of cyclophophamide therapy on lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: The level of serum anti-C1q antibody of 75 patients with LN was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the 75 patients the incipient cases had never received corticosteroid and immunosuppressant and the recurrent cases had stopped the immunosuppressant treatment for more than 3 months and were treated, if so, with prednisone with the dosage View Article and Find Full Text PDF