American journal of nephrology
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are prone to both hypo- and hypernatremia. Little has been published on the epidemiology of hypo- and hypernatremia in ambulatory patients with non-dialysis CKD. ⋯ CKD patients with Na(+) ≤135 mEq/l were at a higher risk for progression to ESRD, whereas both lower and higher Na(+) levels were associated with a higher risk of mortality. While caring for CKD patients, greater attention to serum sodium levels by clinicians is warranted and could potentially help improve patient outcomes.
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The impact of socioeconomic factors on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not well understood. We assessed the association of area and individual-level indicators of poverty and health care insurance on AVF use among incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients initiated on HD. ⋯ Individual- and area-level measures of poverty were independently associated with a lower likelihood of AVF use at the start of HD, the only exception being patients with VA health care benefits. Efforts to improve incident AVF use may require focusing on pre-ESRD care to be successful.
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Vascular calcification is a risk factor for causing cardiovascular events and has a high prevalence among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this pathogenic process is still obscure. ⋯ These results suggest that β-catenin is an important player in high phosphorus level-induced aortic calcification in CKD.