Proteinuria

Analysis of a mean of 8.6 years' follow-up data from 8,574 participants in the Dutch community-based PREVEND study shows that microalbuminuria is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism. After adjustment for various confounding factors, urine albumin excretion of >300 mg/24 h was associated with a 2.82 times greater risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism than urine albumin excretion of <15 mg/24 h.

Mahmoodi, B. K. et al. Microalbuminuria and risk of venous thromboembolism. JAMA 301, 1790–1797 (2009).

Anemia

The theory that hepcidin could be responsible for erythropoietin resistance in renal failure has been dealt a blow by the findings of a UK study. Levels of the hormone—which inhibits cellular iron export and is metabolized by the kidney—were elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (n = 138), but correlated inversely with erythropoietin dose. Furthermore, hepcidin levels declined markedly after initiation of erythropoietin.

Ashby, D. R. et al. Plasma hepcidin levels are elevated but responsive to erythropoietin therapy in renal disease. Kidney Int. 75, 976–981 (2009).

Transplantation

The cardiovascular risk profile of obese individuals is not exacerbated by kidney donation, say US researchers. In a retrospective study of 98 donors, the 15 individuals who were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) at the time of donation had an increased risk of hypertension and lipid abnormalities; however, their risk of developing these conditions was no higher than that of similarly obese individuals who did not donate a kidney.

Tavakol, M. M. et al. Long-term renal function and cardiovascular disease risk in obese kidney donors. Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. doi:10.2215/CJN.01350209

Tubular disease

An autosomal-recessive syndrome comprising childhood-onset epilepsy, ataxia, sensorineural deafness, salt-wasting tubulopathy and normotensive hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis has been identified. Linkage analysis and genetic sequencing reveals that 'EAST' syndrome is associated with homozygous missense mutations in the KCNJ10 gene, which encodes a potassium channel found in the inner ear, brain and kidney.

Bockenhauer, D. et al. Epilepsy, ataxia, sensorineural deafness, tubulopathy and KCNJ10 mutations. N. Engl. J. Med. 360, 1960–1970 (2009).