Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification and Risk of Clinical Events in CKD: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study.

Rationale & Objective: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) progresses rapidly in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with the general population. We studied the association between CAC progression and higher risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), congestive heart failure, and all-cause mortality among adults with CKD.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Disease-modifying therapies, outcomes, risk factors and severity of COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis: A MENACTRIMS registry based study.

Background: There is a lack information regarding risk factors associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the MENA region.

Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study that included all MS patients with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection using the MENACTRIMS registry. The association of demographics, disease characteristics, and use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) with outcomes and severity of COVID-19 were evaluated by multivariate logistic model.

Association of NEDA-4 With No Long-term Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis and Comparison With NEDA-3: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: No evidence of disease activity (NEDA)-4 has been suggested as a treatment target for disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, the ability of NEDA-4 to discriminate long-term outcomes in MS and how its performance compares with NEDA-3 remain uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate (1) the association between NEDA-4 and no long-term disability progression in MS and (2) the comparative performance of NEDA-3 and NEDA-4 in predicting no long-term disability progression.

Antibody-Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder After Second COVID-19 Vaccination: a Case Report.

In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020, widespread vaccination protocols were initiated to mitigate the severity and spread of COVID-19. Although COVID-19 vaccines have been generally considered safe, adverse events post-vaccination have been reported, including the development of demyelinating disease. We report a rare case of de novo aquaporin-4-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in an 80-year-old man following BNT162b SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to raise the awareness of this possible severe adverse event in an older adult.

Chronic Cognitive Impairment in AQP4+ NMOSD With Improvement in Cognition on Eculizumab: A Report of Two Cases.

Cognitive impairment may be associated with aquaporin-4 antibody positive (AQP4+) NMOSD, particularly where there is prominent cerebral, corpus callosum, or thalamic involvement. It is unclear to what extent this phenomenon may be treatable after months to years. We describe two cases of AQP4+ NMOSD with cognitive impairment persisting over more than 6 months, where cognition improved after eculizumab was initiated.

An open label pilot study of the safety and tolerability of perampanel in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction/aims: Perampanel, a selective noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) antagonist, is capable of slowing the progression of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) phenotype and increasing the number of anterior horn cells in transgenic mice. Trials of perampanel in epilepsy showed a favorable tolerability profile. In this study we aimed to determine the tolerability and safety of perampanel in patients with ALS.

Subtyping CKD Patients by Consensus Clustering: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.

Background: CKD is a heterogeneous condition with multiple underlying causes, risk factors, and outcomes. Subtyping CKD with multidimensional patient data holds the key to precision medicine. Consensus clustering may reveal CKD subgroups with different risk profiles of adverse outcomes.

Impact of AKI on Urinary Protein Excretion: Analysis of Two Prospective Cohorts.

Background: Prior studies of adverse renal consequences of AKI have almost exclusively focused on eGFR changes. Less is known about potential effects of AKI on proteinuria, although proteinuria is perhaps the strongest risk factor for future loss of renal function.

Methods: We studied enrollees from the Assessment, Serial Evaluation, and Subsequent Sequelae of AKI (ASSESS-AKI) study and the subset of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study enrollees recruited from Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

CKD Self-management: Phenotypes and Associations With Clinical Outcomes.

Background: To slow chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and its complications, patients need to engage in self-management behaviors. The objective of this study was to classify CKD self-management behaviors into phenotypes and assess the association of these phenotypes with clinical outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

The Association between Parathyroid Hormone Levels and Hemoglobin in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Participants in the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program.

Background: Both anemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism are reflections of hormonal failure in chronic kidney disease (CKD). While the association of elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and anemia has been studied among those with advanced CKD, less is known about this association in mild-to-moderate CKD.

Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, the relationship between PTH and hemoglobin levels was investigated in 10,750 participants in the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.

Prognostic importance of serum alkaline phosphatase in CKD stages 3-4 in a clinical population.

Background: Elevated total serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels have been associated with mortality in the general population and in dialysis patients.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting & Participants: 28,678 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 and 4 (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 15-59 mL/min/1.

No independent association of serum phosphorus with risk for death or progression to end-stage renal disease in a large screen for chronic kidney disease.

Whether higher serum phosphorus levels are associated with a higher risk for death and/or progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well established, and whether the association is confounded by access and barriers to care is unknown. To answer these questions, data of 10,672 individuals identified to have CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) from those participating in a community-based screening program were analyzed.

Association between lack of health insurance and risk of death and ESRD: results from the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

Background: Uninsured adults in the United States have poor access to health care services and worse health outcomes than insured adults. Little is known about the association between lack of insurance and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death in patients at high risk of kidney disease. We used 2000-2011 data from the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) to examine this association.

The association of parathyroid hormone with ESRD and pre-ESRD mortality in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program.

Context: Studies have suggested that PTH may influence mortality and progression of chronic kidney disease. However, the development of either event may influence the development of the other as a competing risk.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the association of PTH with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and pre-ESRD death using a competing risk survival model.

Awareness of kidney disease and relationship to end-stage renal disease and mortality.

Background: Often, patients with chronic kidney disease are reported to be unaware of it. We prospectively evaluated the association between awareness of kidney disease to end-stage renal disease and mortality.

Methods: We utilized 2000-2009 data from the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program.

Association of physician care with mortality in Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) participants.

Background: People with or at high risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of premature morbidity and mortality. We sought to examine the effect of care provided by a primary care physician (PCP) on survival for all participants in the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) and the effect of care provided by a nephrologist on survival for KEEP participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

Physician utilization, risk-factor control, and CKD progression among participants in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, but little is known about the association between physician utilization and cardiovascular disease risk-factor control in patients with CKD. We used 2005-2010 data from the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) to examine this association at first and subsequent screenings.

Methods: Control of risk factors was defined as control of blood pressure, glycemia, and cholesterol levels.

The Association between Parathyroid Hormone Levels and the Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome in Non-Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease.

Aims: The relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome was examined among non-diabetic persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, the relationship between PTH levels and the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome was investigated in 3,215 non-diabetic participants in the National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP 2.0) found to have CKD (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.

Associations of recipient illness history with hypertension and diabetes after living kidney donation.

Background: Little is known about associations of family health history with outcomes after kidney donation.

Methods: Using a database wherein Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network identifiers for 4650 living kidney donors in 1987 to 2007 were linked to administrative data of a US private health insurer (2000-2007 claims), we examined associations of recipient illness history as a measure of family history with postdonation diagnoses and drug-treatment for hypertension and diabetes. Cox regression with left and right censoring was applied to estimate associations (adjusted hazards ratios, aHR) of recipient illness history with postnephrectomy donor diagnoses, stratified by donor-recipient relationship.

Racial variation in medical outcomes among living kidney donors.

Background: Data regarding health outcomes among living kidney donors are lacking, especially among nonwhite persons.

Methods: We linked identifiers from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) with administrative data of a private U.S.

Association of serum phosphorus with left ventricular mass in men and women with stable cardiovascular disease: data from the Heart and Soul Study.

Background: Higher serum phosphorus levels are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in the general population, an association that may be stronger in men. Estradiol has phosphaturic properties. Whether higher serum phosphorus levels are associated with left ventricular (LV) mass in persons without end-stage renal disease and whether the association is modified by sex is unknown.

Impact of prophylactic versus preemptive valganciclovir on long-term renal allograft outcomes.

Background: Both prophylactic and preemptive oral valganciclovir therapy are effective for the management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) postrenal transplantation in the short term. The long-term effect of either strategy is less well defined.

Methods: We analyzed the data on 115 adult recipients previously enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial of prophylaxis versus preemptive therapy for CMV.

Dysglycemia predicts cardiovascular and kidney disease in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program.

The cardiometabolic syndrome has been associated with both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Using data from the National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Early Evaluation Program, the authors sought to investigate this association in a targeted CKD cohort. A total of 26,992 patients met eligibility criteria including age 18 years and older, diabetes, hypertension, or family history of CKD, diabetes, or hypertension and excluded those taking renal replacement therapy.