Research Suggests Dialysis Risks For African-American Patients

Dialysis Study Shows Importance Of Kidney Transplant

Research Suggests Dialysis Risks For African-American Patients

POSTED: 4:37 pm CDT September 26, 2011
UPDATED: 6:45 pm CDT September 26, 2011

OMAHA, Neb. -- Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for millions of people, but one group may not benefit as much as previously thought.
A study shows that Blacks under the age of 50 actually fare worse on dialysis.
A portable dialysis machine is Charlene Tate's lifeline. The 44-year-old does daily treatments because her kidneys no longer work on their own.
"I have lupus, and lupus has caused scarring on the kidneys and they end up shutting down," Tate said.
Tate's been on dialysis for more than two years, but she hopes that will soon change.
"I'm also on the kidney list to get a transplant, so that's really good news," Tate said.
It's especially good news for Tate because a new study shows African-Americans under age 50 face higher risks of dying while on kidney dialysis than their white counterparts. This new research contradicts years of previous studies.
"This was over a million patients that were followed from 1995 through 2009," said Dr. Troy Plumb, nephrologist at Nebraska Medical Center.
The study results could come down to economic disparities between blacks and whites or physiological causes, including high blood pressure.
Plumb said the new information means patients must work to be their own best health care advocates.
"Talk to your doctor about transplant -- really push the issue," Plumb said.
"My doctors have been keeping me informed with my health and what I can do to the future and get a good kidney," Tate said.
Tate said she's confident things will work out.
"It's a difficult lifestyle to live, but if you have faith and ask God to give you strength, I think everything should be fine," Tate said.
Most people who undergo dialysis are older than 65, but about one-third of all U.S. patients with kidney failure are Black.

Read more: http://www.ketv.com/health/29307490/detail.html#ixzz1ZDqFmbZH