(Press-News.org) Houston, TX (November 8, 2025) — Metformin-associated lactic acidosis(MALA) is a rare but serious adverse effect of the diabetes drug metformin in which the body accumulates too much lactic acid. Investigators developed and tested a protocol for diagnosis and treatment of MALA. Their work will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2025 November 5– 9.
The protocol, which included immediate initiation of dialysis using either intermittent hemodialysis, continuous kidney replacement therapy, or peritonealdialysis as treatment, was implemented at Maharat Nakhonratchasima hospital (MNRH), in Thailand. Another hospital, Burirum Hospital (BH), did not implementthe protocol. A total of 347 cases were included over 5 years (70 in MNRH pre-intervention, 129 in MNRH intervention, and 148 in BH).
In MNRH, the 30-day mortality rate was reduced from 25.7% to 13.9% afterimplementing the protocol, whereas in BH the 30-day mortality rate was not reduced during the same period (27.2% and 30%). The trend of mortality rate in MNRH during the intervention period decreased by -2.08% per quarter. The average door-to-dialysis time—the interval between a patient’s hospital admission and the initiation of dialysis—was reduced from 870 minutes to 690 minutes, and MALA awareness increased from 38.5% to 89.9% after implementation.
“A standardized MALA protocol covering diagnosis, access, and treatment shortened door-to-dialysis time, increased awareness, and reduced care variation,” said corresponding author Watanyu Parapiboon, MD, of Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, in Thailand. “Fast-track dialysis pathways shouldbe adopted for time-sensitive conditions like MALA. Availability of all dialysis modalities ensures flexibility andenables timely treatment initiation.”
Study: “Reducing Mortality in Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis (MALA) Through a Fast-Track Clinical Pathway: A Controlled Interrupted Time SeriesQuality Improvement Study”
Join ASN and approximately 12,000 other kidney professionals from across the globe at Kidney Week 2025 in Houston, TX. The world's premier nephrology meeting, Kidney Week, provides participants with exciting and challenging opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn the latest scientific and medical advances, and listen to engaging andprovocative discussions with leading experts in the field. Early programs begin on November 5, followed by the Annual Meeting from November 6-9. Follow the conversation at #KidneyWk.
About ASN
Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseasesthroughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has nearly 21,000 members representing 140 countries. For more information, visit www.asn- online.org and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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Houston, TX (November 8, 2025) — It can be challenging to identify which patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) will most benefit from conservative care rather than initiating dialysis. Researchers recently developed and validated a prediction model to estimate individualized survival probabilities with conservative non-dialytic management versus dialysis in patients with advanced CKD from the national Veterans Affairs and OptumLabs® DataWarehouse databases. The work will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2025 November 5–9.
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Coronary artery calcium (CAC) CT scans are becoming a more commonly used tool to effectively determine a patient’s future risk of heart disease and heart attack.
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Now an important new study from heart researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City ...
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“The results of this trial offer hope for preventing a first heart attack, stroke, or other ...
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Genetic ...
About The Study: The findings of this study support the routine use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to improve kidney outcomes across the full spectrum of kidney function and albuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure.
Corresponding Authors: To contact the corresponding authors, email Brendon L. Neuen, PhD (bneuen@georgeinstitute.org.au) and Hiddo J. L. Heerspink, PhD (h.j.lambers.heerspink@umcg.nl).
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The ...
In late-breaking presentations at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week meeting and simultaneously published in two companion papers in JAMA, the findings are based on data from over 70,000 participants across 10 major randomised controlled trials. The meta-analyses were conducted by the SGLT2 Inhibitor Meta-analysis Cardio-Renal Trialists’ Consortium (SMART-C), led by The George Institute for Global Health.
SGLT2 inhibitors, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, have since demonstrated substantial protection against heart failure and chronic ...
Despite effective HIV medication, the immune system of people with HIV remains disrupted in the long term. Researchers at Amsterdam UMC investigated whether this dysregulation can be prevented by starting HIV medication immediately after infection – i.e. within a few days. They saw that six months after this early treatment, the immune system did indeed work as in people without HIV. But in the longer term, the immune system was disrupted again. This is shown by research by Amsterdam UMC, published in the journal EBioMedicine.
Early treatment protects immune systems only temporarily
For this study, the scientists examined ...
