Health

Kidney disease hospitalizations increase dramatically

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 14, 2008

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The number of people requiring hospital care for kidney problems has gone up significantly, and a growing proportion of these cases are occurring among the elderly. Diabetes and hypertension also is being noted more frequently as a co-existing condition, says a paper in the March 28 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey finding that 416,000 hospitalizations in 1980 could be linked to the kidney, and almost half were among those older than 65. This number jumped to 1,646,000 admissions in 2005, and nearly two-thirds were older than 65. More than 23% of these hospitalizations in 1980 were associated with diabetes. This amount grew to 27% in 2005. The number of admissions associated with hypertension increased from almost 20% in 1980 to more than 41% in 2005.

The authors suspect that this is caused by changes in kidney disease classifications and the aging of the population, but they also are seeking more research.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/14/hlbf0414.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn