The Experience of Pruritus in CKD The Experience of Pruritus in CKD How distress from itchy skin impacts patient health and quality of life Thursday, April 11, 2019 Recent findings from the Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps) advance our knowledge of the patient experience of pruritus, or itchy skin earlier in the lifecycle of kidney disease. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of pruritus and it's strong relationship to the quality of life, poor sleep, and symptoms of depression. Check out the work of Nidhi Sukul, MD and CKDopps collaborators in Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). Read more
Secular Trends in the Cost of Immunosuppressants after Solid Organ Transplantation in the United States Secular Trends in the Cost of Immunosuppressants after Solid Organ Transplantation in the United States Generic medications reduce the lifetime costs of organ transplantation Wednesday, March 6, 2019 The priceless gift of a transplanted organ comes with life-long costs of the critical immunosuppressant medications that prevent rejection. Although Medicare provides coverage for these drugs to kidney transplant recipients in the three years following a transplant, many transplant recipients have difficulty affording the related out-of-pocket costs post-transplantation. Findings of a study conducted by Arbor Research Collaborative for Health indicate the potential of relief for these patients and Medicare. This work by Margaret E. Helmuth and her colleagues was published February 28, 2019, in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). They examined cost changes following the introduction of generic variations of two commonly prescribed immunosuppressants and determined that the introduction of generic medications in this class has resulted in substantial savings for transplant patients and Medicare. Read more
Study of self-reported symptom clusters may improve the diagnosis and treatment of women with lower urinary tract disorders Study of self-reported symptom clusters may improve the diagnosis and treatment of women with lower urinary tract disorders Wednesday, August 8, 2018 Currently, women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are treated according to their most troubling symptom. This approach is not always completely successful, as it does not take into account that patients can have multiple symptoms that respond to different treatments. Read more
The National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) produces dramatic federal savings through financial support for lower-income kidney donors The National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) produces dramatic federal savings through financial support for lower-income kidney donors Thursday, May 24, 2018 For each American who has kidney failure, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) spends more than $80,000 per year for dialysis treatment. This cost drops to only $30,000 when a patient receives a kidney transplant and no longer needs dialysis. Read more
Neurodevelopment in young children with biliary atresia Neurodevelopment in young children with biliary atresia Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Infancy and early childhood is a time of critical neurodevelopment. It is also an important time for monitoring that development, particularly in children with chronic illnesses. Read more
Long-term kidney transplant failure rates worse in United States compared to other countries Long-term kidney transplant failure rates worse in United States compared to other countries Wednesday, August 1, 2018 The best option for people with end-stage kidney disease is to receive a kidney transplant. Kidney transplantation is currently performed in nearly 100 countries, and yet failure of the transplanted kidney in the long term remains an important limitation. Are there differences across countries in the rates of kidney transplant failure? Read more
Describing patients seeking care for lower urinary tract symptoms Describing patients seeking care for lower urinary tract symptoms Thursday, October 26, 2017 The term “lower urinary tract symptoms” (LUTS) includes a wide range of symptoms, including urgency, frequency, dysuria (painful urination), nocturia (excessive nighttime urination), post-void dribbling, and urinary incontinence. Much is still unknown about the effects of LUTS, and treatments often fall short of fully addressing the problem. Read more
Optimal IV iron dosing to manage anemia in hemodialysis patients Optimal IV iron dosing to manage anemia in hemodialysis patients Thursday, November 9, 2017 Almost all patients on hemodialysis experience anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells causing fatigue and weakness. For over two decades, nephrologists have treated anemia in hemodialysis patients with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and intravenous (IV) iron. However, there is currently no consensus on the optimal IV iron dose to raise or sustain hemoglobin at appropriate levels, without very high ferritin or TSAT levels and without excessive use of ESAs. Read more
Severe skin itching remains a problem for hemodialysis patients Severe skin itching remains a problem for hemodialysis patients Thursday, December 7, 2017 Pruritus, severe and chronic itching of the skin, is common in people with chronic kidney disease. While mild pruritus may be a nuisance, severe pruritus has a major negative effect on patients’ lives. They are often bothered by the dryness and appearance of their skin and are annoyed by their itching, which has a considerable impact on their social and working lives. Many also suffer restless sleep, which is associated with depression and increased mortality. In a recent paper, investigators studied the prevalence, awareness, and treatment of pruritus to assess how well this important condition is currently managed internationally. Read more
Successful use & placement of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) vascular accesses: US AVF placement trend of concern Successful use & placement of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) vascular accesses: US AVF placement trend of concern Monday, April 23, 2018 People who receive chronic hemodialysis depend on a functional vascular access to allow use of this predominant form of treatment for end stage kidney failure. Vascular access practice varies greatly internationally, with better outcomes typically seen when using an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Generally, placing the AVF in the lower arm is preferred as there is less risk of exhausting available sites for future AVFs. Given the large international variation in vascular access practice and outcomes, researchers sought to further understand international differences by examining data from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Read more
Arbor Research Awarded a $1.5M Contract to Support AHRQ in Developing their Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) Strategic Plan Thursday, December 8, 2022
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health Awarded $1.2 Million Contract from CDC to Help Nursing Homes Use Electronic Health Records to Report Healthcare Acquired Infections Thursday, October 20, 2022
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health to Serve on Team Evaluating the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model and the Kidney Care Choices Model Friday, September 16, 2022
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health Announces Partnership with Altarum to Support and Evaluate the National Hypertension Control Initiative Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health Announces Hire of Chauncey Lynch, BS, as Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer Monday, March 28, 2022
PDOPPS: International Icodextrin Use and Association with Peritoneal Membrane Function, Fluid Removal, Patient and Technique Survival Friday, March 18, 2022
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health Announces Hire of Shanthy Edward, M.A., Psy.D. as Vice President of Strategic Growth & Chief Growth Officer Monday, March 7, 2022
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health Appoints Chris Spera, PhD as New President & CEO Friday, November 19, 2021
Launch of the US DOPPS Practice Monitor - Peritoneal Dialysis (DPM-PD), tracking the latest practice trends for patients receiving PD Wednesday, August 25, 2021