WASHINGTON, D.C.—Diabetics with neuropathy use more health- care resources than diabetics without this complication. In addition, among patients with diabetic neuropathy, those with comorbid de-pression or anxiety incur higher health-care costs than patients without these psychological problems.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Impaired renal function is a well-known side effect of lithium, which has been used since the 1950s to treat acute episodes of mania and as maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder. In the largest study to date of the renal effects of lithium, researchers found that the duration of lithium treatment did not correlate with glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

CHICAGO—In patients aged 80 years and older, antihypertensive treatment reduces morbidity and mortality according to results from the Hypertension in the Very Elderly (HYVET) trial.

CHICAGO—Most patients with renovascular hypertension experience improved BP control and improved or stabilized renal function following renal artery angioplasty and stent placement, according to findings presented here at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting.

CHICAGO—Iso-osmolar and low-osmolar contrast agents showed similar nephrotoxicity in a study of patients with impaired renal function undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to findings presented here at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting.

CHICAGO—Routine use of contrast agents for evaluating chest pain carries a risk of contrast- induced nephropathy (CIN).

CHICAGO—Revascularization provides no advantage over medical treatment for renal function in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS), data suggest.

ORLANDO—High-dose atorvastatin may preserve renal function in patients with cerebrovascular disease, a study shows.

CHICAGO—N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be superior to ascorbic acid in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency, Korean researchers reported here at the American Heart Association annual scientific sessions.

CHICAGO—Aliskiren, the first in a new class of direct renin inhibitors, is a useful adjunct to other antihypertensive agents for patients with mild to moderate hypertension, data suggest.