Illness perceptions predict distress in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) report increased distress associated with their clinical diagnosis. Distress in patients with predialysis CKD, has been linked to several adverse events; including increased risk of hospitalisation, early dialysis initiation and even death, suggesting that distress is a matter of great concern during routine care in predialysis CKD.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess the nature of illness perceptions and the level of distress in a CKD cohort diagnosed with different stages of kidney disease.

Basic concepts in kidney transplant immunology.

Advances in the field of immunohistocompatibility and immunogenetics have been crucial for improvements in kidney transplant outcomes. This review provides a practical outline of these important breakthroughs for the general physician, at a time when demand for kidney transplants is increasing.