Lymphoma survivors at risk for developing chronic kidney disease

(HealthDay)—Lymphoma survivors are at substantial long-term risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) development, according to a study published online July 11 in Leukemia & Lymphoma.

Sanjal H. Desai, M.D., from the Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., and colleagues describe patterns of long-term CKD in lymphoma survivors. At diagnosis and years 1, 2, 5, and 10, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was recorded.

The researchers found that among 397 patients (median age, 55.3 years; 54 percent male; 60 percent African-American), 42 percent had hypertension, 15 percent had diabetes mellitus, 13 percent had hyperuricemia, 86 percent received chemotherapy, and 14 percent had baseline CKD. Just under one-third of patients (31 percent) developed CKD within 10 years of lymphoma diagnosis. There was a significant increase noted in the probability of CKD development with time (23 percent at year 1 increased to 41 percent at year 10). The investigators observed a decline in GFR of 4.6 mL/min/per year. CKD was predicted by age, hypertension, hyperuricemia, and diabetes (in young patients).

"These findings underscore the need to monitor renal function in long-term lymphoma survivors and lay foundation for future prospective studies to define strategies to prevent CKD in lymphoma survivors," the authors write.