Recent and Emerging Therapies for Iron Deficiency in Anemia of CKD: A Review.

Iron deficiency commonly contributes to the anemia affecting individuals with chronic kidney disease. This review describes diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency in chronic kidney disease, as well as mechanisms of functional and absolute iron deficiency and general treatment principles as delineated in the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guideline. Repletion of absolute iron deficits has progressed over time with the addition of better tolerated, more effective oral agents, including ferric citrate, ferric maltol, and sucrosomial iron.

The Evolution of Target Hemoglobin Levels in Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Since the introduction of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) into clinical practice in 1989, considerable effort has been put forth toward identifying the optimal treatment strategy for managing anemia of CKD. After initial treatment of only the most severely anemic patients, therapy was subsequently expanded to include most patients on dialysis and many nondialysis CKD patients. Many nephrology societies and regulatory agencies have sought to identify the most appropriate hemoglobin levels to which ESA therapy should be targeted.

C-reactive protein and prediction of 1-year mortality in prevalent hemodialysis patients.

Background And Objectives: Measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels remains uncommon in North America, although it is now routine in many countries. Using Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study data, our primary aim was to evaluate the value of CRP for predicting mortality when measured along with other common inflammatory biomarkers.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We studied 5061 prevalent hemodialysis patients from 2005 to 2008 in 140 facilities routinely measuring CRP in 10 countries.

Renal impairment, hypertension and plasma urotensin II.

Background: Human urotensin II (UII) is a potent mammalian vasoconstrictor thought to be produced and cleared by the kidneys. Conflicting data exist regarding the relationship between UII concentrations, kidney function and blood pressure (BP). We measured the associations between kidney function [including end-stage renal disease (ESRD)] and levels of BP with plasma concentrations of UII.