With worldwide epidemic of diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy which is one of the major causes of microvascular complication has become a serious concern in Korea as well as the rest of the world. In view of its significance, there is an urgent and paramount need for proper managements that could either deter or slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Despite advances in care, ever increasing number of patients suffering from diabetic kidney disease and from end-stage renal disease implies that the current management is not adequate in many aspects. The reasons for these inadequacies compromise lack of early diagnosis, failure to intervene with timely and aggressive manner, and lack of understanding on the kind of interventions required. Another issue equally important for the adequate care of patients with diabetic nephropathy is an understanding of past, present and future epidemiology of diabetic nephropathy which serves, especially in Korea, as a material determining standard diagnosis and treatment and a national health-policy decision.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidemiology* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Renal Replacement Therapy

Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of early death and graft loss in renal transplant patients. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and echocardiographic parameters independently associated with the angiographically-determined severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients. Fifty-two kidney transplant recipients who underwent elective coronary angiography were reviewed retrospectively. Angiographic severity was evaluated using the modified Gensini index (MGI). The mean age at coronary angiography was 52.5+/-7.9 yr with a mean prior transplant duration of 118.1+/-58.8 months. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation of MGI with transplant duration before coronary angiography and chronic allograft nephropathy, whereas an inverse correlation was demonstrated with ejection fraction and statin use. On subsequent multivariate linear regression analysis, transplant duration before coronary angiography, statin use, and ejection fraction were independently associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients. In summary, our study demonstrates that statin use, ejection fraction, and transplant duration before coronary angiography are independent parameters associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients. Further investigation is required to reduce the atherosclerotic burden in kidney transplant patients.
Adult ; Comorbidity ; Coronary Artery Disease/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation/*statistics & numerical data ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Renal Insufficiency/*epidemiology/*surgery ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) and fracture risk are both closely related to declining renal function. Controlling hyperphosphatemia with phosphate binders is a basic principle of CKD-MBD treatment. The aim of this study was to identify differences in fracture risk between pre-dialysis CKD patients and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis, and to evaluate the effects of phosphate binders on fracture risk in ESRD patients. METHODS: Data from a total of 89,533 CKD patients comprising CKD diagnosis, dialysis, fracture history, and phosphate binder prescription history from 2012 to 2016 were retrieved from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Database. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify whether dialysis or phosphate binders were associated with an increased fracture risk. RESULTS: Overall, the rate of fractures in pre-dialysis CKD patients was 74 per 1,000 patient-years, while that in dialysis patients was 84 per 1,000 patient-years. The risk of fracture in ESRD patients was higher than pre-dialysis CKD patients (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–1.21; P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounding variables. In addition, the fracture risk in patients who were not taking phosphate binders was 20.0% higher compared to ESRD patients taking phosphate binders. CONCLUSION: Fractures were more prevalent in ESRD patients on dialysis than pre-dialysis CKD patients. Use of phosphate binders was associated with a lower fracture risk in ESRD patients.
Cohort Studies ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Diagnosis ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Hyperphosphatemia ; Insurance, Health ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Prescriptions ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference(WC), waist-to-height ratio (WheiR) in Chinese adults.
 METHODS: A total of 26 655 participants, who voluntarily attended annual health examination at the Health Management Center in the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June 2013 to February 2014, were enrolled for this study. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.
 RESULTS: The prevalence rate of CKD was 9.6% and 3.1% in male and female subjects, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, WC and WheiR were independent risk factors for CKD in diabetic male and hypertensive male subjects (P<0.01). However, no association between these obesity indices and CKD was found in women after multivariate adjustment. In diabetic male subjects, when BMI≥28.7 kg/m(2), WC=90.7 cm and WheiR=0.56, the sensitivity and specificity prediction for CKD was 24.8%, 58.5%, 45.5% and 83.3%, 54.4%, 69.6%, respectively. In hypertensive male subjects, when the optimum cut-off points for BMI, WC and WheiR were ≥
27.0 kg/m(2), 91.2 cm and 0.54, the sensibility prediction for CKD were 41.0%, 47.0% and 50.1%, respectively, while the specificity prediction were 68.0%, 63.0% and 61.4%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of BMI, WC, WheiR for CKD prediction were 0.56, 0.57, 0.59 in diabetic male subjects and 0.54, 0.56, 0.57 in hypertensive male subjects, respectively.
 CONCLUSION BMI, WC and WheiR are associated with the increased risk for CKD in diabetic or hypertensive male subjects. However, the value for these obesity indices is limited in screening CKD.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; ROC Curve ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Height Ratio

The study was designed to assess the relationship between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary stone-forming constituents, and to assess the effect of renal insufficiency on stone recurrence risk in first stone formers (SF). Baseline serum creatinine levels were obtained, and renal insufficiency was defined as creatinine clearance < or =60 mL/min (Cockroft-Gault). This retrospective case-control study consists of 342 first SF; 171 SF with normal renal function were selected with 1:1 propensity scores matched to 171 SF with renal insufficiency. Urinary metabolic evaluation was compared to renal function. GFR was positively correlated with urinary calcium, uric acid, and citrate excretion. Subjects with renal insufficiency had significantly lower urinary calcium, uric acid, and citrate excretion than those with normal renal function, but not urine volume. With regard to urinary metabolic abnormalities, similar results were obtained. SF with renal insufficiency had lower calcium oxalate supersaturation indexes and stone recurrence rates than SF with normal renal function. Kaplan-Meier curves showed similar results. In conclusion, GFR correlates positively with urinary excretion of stone-forming constituents in SF. This finding implies that renal insufficiency is not a risk factor for stone recurrence.
Aged ; Causality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; *Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urolithiasis/*diagnosis/*epidemiology

The study was designed to assess the relationship between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary stone-forming constituents, and to assess the effect of renal insufficiency on stone recurrence risk in first stone formers (SF). Baseline serum creatinine levels were obtained, and renal insufficiency was defined as creatinine clearance < or =60 mL/min (Cockroft-Gault). This retrospective case-control study consists of 342 first SF; 171 SF with normal renal function were selected with 1:1 propensity scores matched to 171 SF with renal insufficiency. Urinary metabolic evaluation was compared to renal function. GFR was positively correlated with urinary calcium, uric acid, and citrate excretion. Subjects with renal insufficiency had significantly lower urinary calcium, uric acid, and citrate excretion than those with normal renal function, but not urine volume. With regard to urinary metabolic abnormalities, similar results were obtained. SF with renal insufficiency had lower calcium oxalate supersaturation indexes and stone recurrence rates than SF with normal renal function. Kaplan-Meier curves showed similar results. In conclusion, GFR correlates positively with urinary excretion of stone-forming constituents in SF. This finding implies that renal insufficiency is not a risk factor for stone recurrence.
Aged ; Causality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; *Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urolithiasis/*diagnosis/*epidemiology

Epidemiologically, multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder of plasma cells with a higher incidence among Western populations than among Asians. However, there is growing evidence of a recent increase in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of MM in Asian countries, particularly Korea. Application of novel agents has resulted in significant improvement of treatment outcomes, and the advances are ongoing with the recent introduction and U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of newer agents, including carfilzomib, ixazomib, elotuzumab, and daratumumab. In concert with the technical advances in the cytogenetic and molecular diagnostics of MM, modifications of its diagnosis and staging system have been attempted for better risk stratification. The modified diagnostic criteria from the International Myeloma Working Group in 2014 enabled a strategy of more active treatment for some patients with smoldering MM, with an ultra-high risk of progression, and fine-tuned the definition of end-organ damage, known as CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone lesions). Considering Korea’s trend of aging at an unprecedented rate, we can expect that the ASR of MM will maintain a gradual increase for many years to come; therefore, MM will be a cancer of critical importance from both medical and socioeconomic perspectives in Korea.
Aging ; Anemia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pathology, Molecular ; Plasma Cells ; Renal Insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, risk factors and prognosis for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) according to ESUR and KDIGO criteria in patients undergoing angiography.
 METHODS: We evaluated 260 patients undergoing angiography and/or intervention therapy from April 2011 to January 2012 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. All patients received low-osmolality contrast agent (ioversol). Serum creatinine was measured before angiography or at 48 or 72 h after procedure. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of CI-AKI. The major adverse events were observed in a year of follow-up.
 RESULTS: Among the 260 patients, 23 experienced CI-AKI and the incidence was 8.8% according to ESUR criteria. Twelve patients experienced CI-AKI and the incidence was 4.6% according to KDIGO criteria. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus and dehydration were the independent risk factors for CI-AKI according to ESUR criteria; In another KDIGO criteria, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus were the independent risk factors for CI-AKI. The prognosis study showed that the mortality of patients with CI-AKI were significantly higher than those without CI-AKI (P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION The incidence of CI-AKI is associated with diagnostic criteria. Diabetes mellitus, CKD, dehydration and hypercholesterolemia were the independent risk factors for CI-AKI. CI-AKI is a relevant factor for mortality in a year after angiography and/or intervention therapy.
Acute Kidney Injury ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Angiography ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Dehydration ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iodopyracet ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Prognosis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a significant global health problem because of the increased risk of total and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is common in patients with CKD, and serum levels of vitamin D appear to have an inverse correlation with kidney function. Growing evidence has indicated that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to deteriorating renal function, as well as increased morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Recent studies have suggested that treatment with active vitamin D or its analogues can ameliorate renal injury by reducing fibrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation in animal models; this treatment also decreases proteinuria and mortality in patients with CKD. These renoprotective effects of vitamin D treatment are far beyond its classical role in the maintenance of bone and mineral metabolism, in addition to its pleiotropic effects on extra-mineral metabolism. In this review, we discuss the altered metabolism of vitamin D in kidney disease, and the potential renoprotective mechanisms of vitamin D in experimental and clinical studies. In addition, issues regarding the effects of vitamin D treatment on clinical outcomes are discussed.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood ; Dietary Supplements ; Humans ; Kidney/drug effects/*metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/*blood/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D/*blood/therapeutic use ; Vitamin D Deficiency/*blood/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology

INTRODUCTIONDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The epidemiology of CKD secondary to type 2 DM (T2DM) (i.e. diabetic nephropathy (DN)) has not been well studied in Singapore, a multi-ethnic Asian population. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD in adult patients with T2DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional study on patients (n = 1861) aged 21 to 89 years with T2DM who had attended the DM centre of a single acute care public hospital or a primary care polyclinic between August 2011 and November 2013. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patients using a standard questionnaire. Spot urine and fasting blood samples were sent to an accredited hospital laboratory for urinary albumin, serum creatinine, HbA1c and lipid measurement. CKD was defined and classified using the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines and classification.

RESULTSThe distribution by risk of adverse CKD outcomes was: low risk, 47%; moderate risk, 27.2%; high risk, 12.8%; and very high risk, 13%. The prevalence of CKD in patients with T2DM was 53%. Variables significantly associated with CKD include neuropathy, blood pressure ≥140/80 mmHg, triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol, body mass index, duration of diabetes, HbA1c ≥8%, age, cardiovascular disease, and proliferative retinopathy.

CONCLUSIONCKD was highly prevalent among patients with T2DM in Singapore. Several risk factors for CKD are well recognised and amenable to intervention. Routine rigorous screening for DN and enhanced programme for global risk factors reduction will be critical to stem the tide of DN.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Singapore