kidney

Globally, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease is estimated to be approximately 850 million cases, with approximately 4 million individuals needing kidney replacement therapy for kidney failure. By 2050, chronic kidney disease is projected to become the fifth leading underlying cause of death worldwide. Despite its numerous causes, chronic kidney disease can be screened for, diagnosed, and staged with simple laboratory tests. Individuals with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of kidney failure and many other health implications. Risk of premature cardiovascular disease is particularly noteworthy, as most patients with chronic kidney disease develop a disability or die from cardiovascular disease before ever progressing to kidney failure. Since 2019, large randomised trials have identified several effective treatments that both slow progressive kidney function decline and reduce cardiovascular risk, greatly expanding available treatments for chronic kidney disease. The wide range of complications associated with chronic kidney disease means that patients encounter many different specialties. Active engagement in chronic kidney disease identification and timely initiation of cost-effective interventions by all clinicians could now substantially reduce the global burden of complications of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

Author/s:

William G. Herrington, Parminder K. Judge, Morgan E Grams, Christoph Wanner

What Do I Need to Know About the Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine?

Megan George — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:35:47 +0000

Date Added:

October 21, 2025

Journal/Publication:

JAMA Internal Medicine Patient Page

Publication Date:

October 20, 2025

URL:

What Do I Need to Know About the Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine?

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.5277

Keywords

'Vaccination

Infectious diseases

Patient Information

Pneumococcal Vaccines

PMID (1):

41114997

MeSH

23-valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine

pneumonia

13-valent pneumococcal vaccine

spleen

COVID-19

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Influenza

Pneumococcal Vaccines

Pneumococcal Infections

Hypersensitivity

Herpes Zoster

Information for patients about pneumococcal immunizations. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

View

What Is the Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine?
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against infections from a type of bacteria called pneumococcus. Pneumococcus is a common cause of pneumonia (a lung infection), as well as other serious infections. The vaccine prepares your immune system to recognize and fight pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccine is usually given through an injection into the arm. Some versions can also be inhaled. The vaccines do not contain living or dead bacteria. The pneumococcal vaccine does not protect you from other lung infections like the flu (influenza), COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), or other kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia. It is still important to get your flu shot every year and other vaccines your doctor recommends, even if you already got the pneumococcal vaccine.

What Are Benefits of Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccines?
The vaccine substantially lowers your risk of hospitalization or dying from serious pneumococcal infection. Vaccination can reduce the risk of pneumonia-related deaths by almost half.

Why Is There a New Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine, and How Does It Differ From Prior Versions?
There are several types of pneumococcal bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Being vaccinated against one type of pneumococcus may not protect you from other types that could make you sick. Previous pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines like PPSV23 or PCV13 do not protect against all types of the pneumococcal bacteria that cause pneumonia. Newer vaccines were made in 2021 (PCV15 and PCV20) and 2024 (PCV21). These help to prevent infections from types of bacteria not covered by older versions.

What Are the Potential Side Effects?
Side effects are frequent but generally mild. The most common side effect is pain or redness at the site of injection. Less common side effects include fever, feeling tired, muscle ache, and headache. These are less severe than for other vaccines like flu and shingles. These effects can be treated with over-the-counter medications and generally go away within 24 to 48 hours. Life-threatening allergic reactions are extremely rare but possible. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or progressive weakness after vaccination. The pneumonia vaccine cannot cause pneumonia or other bacterial illness.

Who Should Get a New Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine?
All adults 50 years and older who have not been vaccinated should receive one of the new vaccines: PCV21, PCV20, or a sequence of PCV15 followed by PPSV23. People younger than 50 years with certain health problems should also get the new vaccine. These health problems include diabetes; chronic conditions affecting the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys; current tobacco use or heavy alcohol consumption; a weak immune system from certain health problems or medications; absence or prior removal of the spleen; and a history of spinal fluid leak or a cochlear (inner ear) implant.

Most adults who got either PPSV23 and/or PCV13 should still get a booster with one of the newer vaccines. The different pneumococcal vaccines protect against different types of bacteria. Some types of bacteria are more common in people depending on their age, health, and where they live. Talk to your doctor about which vaccine is best for you.

Author/s:

Jerard Z. Kneifati-Hayek, Michael A. Incze

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Review

Alex Haga — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:50:07 +0000

Date Added:

April 16, 2024

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

JAMA

Publication Date:

April 8, 2024

URL:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Review

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2024.2315

Keywords

A review of current knowledge about the diagnosis and management of systemic lupus erythematosus. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

Free full text

View

Importance
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and immune-mediated injury to multiple organ systems, including the mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and kidney systems. Approximately 3.4 million people worldwide have received a diagnosis of SLE.

Observations
Approximately 90% of people with SLE are female. Although there are no uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria for SLE, the 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (formerly the European League Against Rheumatism)/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria developed for scientific study are an estimated 96.1% sensitive and 93.4% specific for SLE. These classification criteria include both clinical factors, such as fever, cytopenia, rash, arthritis, and proteinuria, which may be indicative of lupus nephritis; and immunologic measures, such as SLE-specific autoantibodies and low complement levels. Approximately 40% of people with SLE develop lupus nephritis, and an estimated 10% of people with lupus nephritis develop end-stage kidney disease after 10 years. The primary goal of treatment is to achieve disease remission or quiescence, defined by minimal symptoms, low levels of autoimmune inflammatory markers, and minimal systemic glucocorticoid requirement while the patient is treated with maintenance doses of immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive medications. Treatment goals include reducing disease exacerbations, hospitalizations, and organ damage due to the disease or treatment toxicity. Hydroxychloroquine is standard of care for SLE and has been associated with a significant reduction in mortality. Treatments in addition to hydroxychloroquine are individualized, with immunosuppressive agents, such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide, typically used for treating moderate to severe disease. Three SLE medications were recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration: belimumab (for active SLE in 2011 and for lupus nephritis in 2020), voclosporin (for lupus nephritis), and anifrolumab (for active SLE).

Conclusions and Relevance
Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with immune-mediated damage to multiple organs and increased mortality. Hydroxychloroquine is first-line therapy and reduces disease activity, morbidity, and mortality. When needed, additional immunosuppressive and biologic therapies include azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, belimumab, voclosporin, and anifrolumab.

Author/s:

Siegel, C.H., Sammaritano, L.R.