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Kidney Disease Patients Reap Rewards Of Prevention

Date:
May 7, 2009
Source:
American Society of Nephrology
Summary:
Making sure you see your doctor and have tests run on a regular basis can prevent serious complications of chronic kidney disease, according to a new study. The results suggest that patients who follow preventive measures are more likely to stay healthy.
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Making sure you see your doctor and have tests run on a regular basis can prevent serious complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new study. The results suggest that patients who follow preventive measures are more likely to stay healthy.

CKD affects more than 1 in 10 adults in the United States and can lead to serious cardiovascular complications and premature death. The National Kidney Foundation has published guidelines on preventive care measures that may help slow disease progression. But how effective are these measures?

Jon Snyder, PhD (United States Renal Data System, Minneapolis), and his colleagues tested their effectiveness by analyzing Medicare data from recent years (approximately 1.2 million patients per year). They classified CKD and diabetes during year one, assessed preventive care during year two, and evaluated heart disease incidence during year three.

The researchers found that increasing preventive measures correlated with lower rates of heart disease. CKD patients who received influenza vaccines and had their lipids, calcium-phosphorus levels, and parathyroid hormone levels (and blood glucose levels if they were diabetic) monitored had lower rates of heart disease and heart-related deaths during the following year.

"Patients using preventive measures had lower cardiovascular disease event rates in the subsequent year, leading us to hypothesize that more diligent care of these patients and evidence-based treatment recommendations are successful at preventing morbid events in the subsequent year," said Dr. Snyder.

Changes in heart disease rates in the following year ranged from 10% lower for those who received influenza vaccinations and two or more blood glucose tests to 43% lower for those who had their calcium-phosphorus levels assessed.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Society of Nephrology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Association of Preventive Health Care with Atherosclerotic Heart Disease and Mortality in CKD. Journal of the American Society Nephrology, May 7, 2009 DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2008090954

Cite This Page:

American Society of Nephrology. "Kidney Disease Patients Reap Rewards Of Prevention." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 May 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507173657.htm>.
American Society of Nephrology. (2009, May 7). Kidney Disease Patients Reap Rewards Of Prevention. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 26, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507173657.htm
American Society of Nephrology. "Kidney Disease Patients Reap Rewards Of Prevention." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507173657.htm (accessed December 26, 2024).

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