The costs of dialysis in the USA.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is unique in that, in the United States, it is the only disease-specific condition covered by Medicare independently of the age of patients. Medical care to these patients is provided through 2506 facilities, most of which are free-standing. Of these, the majority are operated by profit-making concerns.

Drug-induced renal disease.

Many pharmacologic agents affect the kidney, but special attention should be paid to four classes: aminoglycoside antibiotics, radiocontrast agents, ACE inhibitors, and NSAIDs. Iatrogenic complications associated with these agents include acute renal failure, acute interstitial nephritis, and prerenal failure, which are frequently reversible with early diagnosis.

Nonthrombocytopenic purpura associated sequentially with nifedipine and diltiazem.

Objective: To report the case of a patient who developed nonthrombocytopenic purpura sequentially following the administration of nifedipine and diltiazem.

Data Sources: Case reports, MEDLINE review of pertinent literature, and review of relevant studies.

Data Extraction: Data were extracted from direct patient observation and review of laboratory studies and published reports.

Chloride-depletion metabolic alkalosis induces ECF volume depletion via internal fluid shifts in nephrectomized dogs.

We recently reported that chloride-depletion metabolic alkalosis (CDMA) results in renal losses of Na, K, and water. In these studies we investigated whether CDMA (induced using a new model that avoids external changes in Na and water balance) was also associated with internal Na and water shifts out of the ECF. CDMA was induced using haemofiltration in functionally nephrectomized dogs.

Acute interstitial nephritis with glomerulopathy due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents: a review of its clinical spectrum and effects of steroid therapy.

We reviewed case reports of patients who developed acute renal failure and/or nephrotic range proteinuria in the course of receiving treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIA). Those cases that contained information sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of acute interstitial nephritis with glomerulopathy (AING), including a suggestive clinical syndrome with appropriate renal biopsy findings, were further analyzed to achieve a more complete description of this clinical entity and its responsiveness to steroid treatment. Analysis of the cases that fulfilled the inclusion criteria confirmed that the disorder is twice as common in women and occurs mainly in elderly people, usually after long-term use of NSAIAs for musculoskeletal problems.