In RCTs, CKD Associated With Highest Overall Mortality Risk.

In continuing coverage, HealthDay  (2/23) reports, "In (randomized) controlled trials (RCTs), chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with the highest overall risk of mortality, according to a review  published online Feb. 21 in the Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease." After examining data on 22 RCTs encompassing "91,842 patients and 6,837 deaths," investigators found that "patients in the highest mortality category were more likely to be older, have higher blood pressure, and have longer duration of diabetes. Mortality rates were elevated in RCTs with previous cardiovascular morbidity; however, the selection for CKD correlated with the highest mortality rates."