Active clinical trials for "Kidney Failure, Chronic"

The aim of the study is to measure Pentraxin-3 levels in patients on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and those in the pre-dialysis period; and to compare these groups with the control group; so as to investigate the eligibility of it as a reliable marker of inflammation; relationship with other inflammatory markers and carotis intima media thickness.

Anaemia is a common complication of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) the management of which has been aided by the use of synthetic recombinant human erythropoietin therapy (r-HuEPO). This red cell stimulating agent creates the further complication of Functional Iron Deficiency (FID) where, despite normal iron stores, patients fail to respond to therapy as they do not possess enough available iron to meet the demand of increased red cell production. Effective response to r-HuEPO therapy depends on an appropriate monitoring of 'available' iron levels. Previous research into the clinical utility of testing for reticulated haemoglobin concentrations (Ret He) instead of Serum Ferritin and Transferrin Saturation analysis has indicated an advantage as an iron deficient prognostic marker however, further knowledge is required on the use of this new laboratory test (RetHe) to predict Functional Iron Deficiency (FID) level and to study it's relationship with responses to therapy. This proposed study aims to estimate a local working Normal (non deficient) and Iron Deficient Reticulated Haemoglobin Content (RET He) reference range from surplus anonamous samples. Routine monthly blood samples from Pre Dialysis and Haemodialysis patients will be used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the RET He test compared to current laboratory tests and investigate its predictive ability for Functional Iron Deficiency in these patients. Studying , measuring and statistically analysing the change in the RET He parameters in Haemodialysis and Pre Dialysis patients over 3 months will look for evidence of a direct relationship between RET He values and the patients response to therapy. The data will be used to provide a predictive picture of what levels of RET He indicate Functional Iron Deficiency. The introduction of this test (RetHe) may provide clinicians with a one sample/one test control over iron therapies and ensure the patient gets the most benefit from erythropoietin therapy.

To assess the percentage of patients on lanthanum carbonate, that achieve Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guideline suggested values for serum phosphorous in patients previously treated with calcium-based phosphate binder therapy.

The objective of this study is to see if KRX-0502 (ferric citrate) is safe and effective as a dietary phosphate binder in controlling and managing serum phosphorus levels in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Transplantation is the preferred method of treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children. Over the past forty years, the use of newer immunosuppressive drugs has decreased the risk for organ rejection considerably, and improved short-term outcomes. However, these costly and complicated life-long treatment regimens also cause serious side effects. This has been particularly true for children, who undergo treatment with these drugs at the same time they are transitioning, physically and emotionally, from childhood to adulthood. These factors lead to significantly reduced life-spans, decreased drug regimen adherence, and an increased need for re-transplantation, as compared with adults. Current immunosuppressive procedures and strategies for children mimic those for adults, despite the difference between the two populations' immune systems and needs. New strategies aimed at tailoring to an individual child's needs would both reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes. The purpose of this study is to generate information which will help to change the current practice of pediatric transplantation into one that is more individualized and preventative.

Kidney transplantation from living donors has been shown to carry many benefits over deceased donor transplantation. Because of benefits such as shorter waiting times and improved outcome for transplant recipients, living kidney donation accounts for an increasing number of kidney transplants nationwide. Most published studies about living kidney donation demonstrate that the procedure is safe, but they also emphasize concerns that long-term data on live donor outcomes are insufficient. The purpose of this study is to assess the long term outcomes and risks that may arise from living kidney donation.

Background: Solid organ transplantation provides life-saving treatment for end-stage organ disease but is associated with an increased cancer risk because of the need for long-term immunosuppression End-stage renal disease (ESRD), the most common type of end-stage organ disease leading to transplant, is itself linked to increased risk for some cancers The role of immunosuppression and other factors causing cancer in this setting are not fully understood. Objectives: To characterize cancer risk in transplant recipients and identify risk factors. To characterize risk for transmission of cancer from organ donors to recipients. To describe cancer risk in ESRD. Eligibility: Patients are not required for this study. Data are gathered from existing databases of ESRD patients, organ transplant patients and cancer registries. Design: Databases of 1) U.S. transplant recipients, donors and wait list candidates and 2) U.S. ESRD patients will be linked to multiple U.S. cancer registries to identify cancers in transplant recipients and ESRD patients. The spectrum of cancer risk in transplant recipients and ESRD patients will be evaluated in detail. The cancer risk in transplant recipients will be examined in relation to whether the donors had cancer. The proposed cancer risk factors (e.g., underlying medical condition, infection with cancer-causing viruses, immunosuppressive medications) documented in transplant and ESRD files will be studied for association with increased risk of particular types of cancer.

The study hypothesis is that 6 weeks of repetitive handgrip exercise will improve endothelial function and venous compliance in pre-dialysis patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than or equal to 20 ml/min. If proven correct then arm exercise might be useful to improve the success rate for a surgically created arteriovenous fistula in the forearm to become usable as a vascular access for hemodialysis.

The purpose of this study is to audit the effects of changing all hemodialysis patients from intravenous to subcutaneous administration of ESA's, to ensure that a cost-saving is achieved and that this does not occur at the expense of anemia control. The dose changes will occur according to usual clinical care of patients and not along a protocol.

The purpose of this study is to determine if analysis of urine samples for specific markers can predict transplant rejection in people who have received kidney transplants.