Medscape Nephrology Headlines

ESRD Bundling: How Will This Affect Small Dialysis Providers -- and Patients? A Report From ASN 2009.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:52:03 EST

Jeffrey S. Berns, MD, reports from ASN 2009 and discusses the effect of bundling all ESRD services into one prospective payment system as well as The Lancet retraction of the COOPERATE study.

Three Major Trials Presented at ASN 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:50:30 EST

Jeffrey S. Berns, MD, reports from the floor of ASN Renal Week 2009 on 3 major trials, including an "outstandingly done study" on differing hemoglobin levels in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes.

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

Declining Renal Function Linked to Worse Cardiovascular Outcomes

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:37:25 EST

In individuals with or without kidney disease at baseline, declining kidney function was linked to a higher risk for heart failure, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and early death.

ALLHAT Investigators Report 10-Year Follow-up and Stand by Diuretics as First-Step Antihypertensive Treatment

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:28 EST

New data confirm the original conclusions: although amlodipine and lisinopril are not superior to chlorthalidone on any outcome, chlorthalidone is superior to them on 1 or more secondary endpoints.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

A Case of Indurated Skin Rash in a Transplant Patient

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:54:59 EST

A 32-year-old white woman presented to the transplant clinic with complaint of bilateral progressive erythematous rash of her thighs.

Legius Syndrome Often Mistaken for Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:20:55 EST

Legius syndrome is genetically distinct but similar to neurofibromatosis and is characterized by cafe au lait macules, axillary freckling, and macrocephaly.

Physicians Are Talking About: Tort Reform: Does Saying "I'm Sorry" Help?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:06:39 EST

Physicians are often reluctant to apologize for clinical errors because their words can be used in malpractice litigation as admissions of fault. MPC members discuss whether saying "I'm sorry" can help.

High Prevalence of Masked Hypertension in Children With Kidney Disease

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:55:04 EST

Children with chronic kidney disease have a high prevalence of masked hypertension, often in association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), research findings indicate.

Serum Phosphorous, Kidney Function Predict CAC

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:15:11 EST

High serum phosphorus levels and reduced kidney function at levels considered normal predict coronary artery calcification, which shed light on a nontraditional mechanism for cardiovascular disease.

Hematuria/Dysuria May Be Inconstant in Children With Recurrent Abdominal Pain/Urolithiasis

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:56:09 EST

In children younger than 8 years, abdominal pain is often central or diffuse; additional warning signs of urinary stones are infrequent pain attacks and a family history of urolithiasis.