Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and CKD Progression: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.

Rationale & Objective: Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) plays an important role in the development of fibrosis, the final common pathway of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to assess the relationship between repeated measures of MMP-2 and CKD progression in a large, diverse prospective cohort.

Study Design: In a prospective cohort of Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) participants (N = 3,827), MMP-2 was measured at baseline.

Cardiovascular Disease Events and Mortality After Myocardial Infarction Among Black and White Adults: REGARDS Study.

Background: Despite improvements in prognosis following myocardial infarction (MI), racial disparities persist. The objective of this study was to examine disparities between Black and White adults in cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure (HF), and mortality after MI and characteristics that may explain the disparities.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 1122 REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study participants with incident MI between 2003 and 2016.

Comparison of Aggregated N-of-1 Trials with Parallel and Crossover Randomized Controlled Trials Using Simulation Studies.

N-of-1 trials offer an innovative approach to delivering personalized clinical care together with population-level research. While increasingly used, these methods have raised some statistical concerns in the healthcare community. We discuss concerns of selection bias, carryover effects from treatment, and trial data analysis conceptually, then rigorously evaluate concerns of effect sizes, power, and sample size through simulation study.

Changing rates in fracture trends are temporally associated with declining testing and treatment: reality or ecologic fallacy?

Purpose Of Review: The changing patterns of osteoporosis treatment and fragility fractures have led to what leaders are calling a 'crisis in the osteoporosis.' We address data on changing patterns in fractures, and highlight strengths and limitations of recently published data.

Recent Findings: Declines in hip fracture rates have been shown in studies from around the world.