Hidden acid imbalance in kidney disease raises red flags
Niigata Japan - A Japanese registry has identified a blind spot in the routine care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum bicarbonate levels are rarely measured, leaving metabolic acidosis largely undetected and hence, undertreated.
Metabolic acidosis is a common complication of CKD and is associated with muscle loss, bone disease, insulin resistance, accelerated kidney decline, and increased mortality. Clinical guidelines recommend treatment when the serum bicarbonate level falls below 22 mEq/L. However, real-world data from Asia have been limited.
To address this, Mai Tanaka and colleagues extracted nationwide data ...