Homer G. Biggs

Bio: Homer G. Biggs is an academic researcher from University of Alabama at Birmingham. The author has contributed to research in topics: Serum albumin & Albumin. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 3175 citations.

Bicarbonate Supplementation Slows Progression of CKD and Improves Nutritional Status

Abstract: Bicarbonate supplementation preserves renal function in experimental chronic kidney disease (CKD), but whether the same benefit occurs in humans is unknown. Here, we randomly assigned 134 adult patients with CKD (creatinine clearance [CrCl] 15 to 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and serum bicarbonate 16 to 20 mmol/L to either supplementation with oral sodium bicarbonate or standard care for 2 yr. The primary end points were rate of CrCl decline, the proportion of patients with rapid decline of CrCl (>3 ml/min per 1.73 m2/yr), and ESRD (CrCl <10 ml/min). Secondary end points were dietary protein intake, normalized protein nitrogen appearance, serum albumin, and mid-arm muscle circumference. Compared with the control group, decline in CrCl was slower with bicarbonate supplementation (5.93 versus 1.88 ml/min 1.73 m2; P < 0.0001). Patients supplemented with bicarbonate were significantly less likely to experience rapid progression (9 versus 45%; relative risk 0.15; 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.40; P < 0.0001). Similarly, fewer patients supplemented with bicarbonate developed ESRD (6.5 versus 33%; relative risk 0.13; 95% confidence interval 0.04 to 0.40; P < 0.001). Nutritional parameters improved significantly with bicarbonate supplementation, which was well tolerated. This study demonstrates that bicarbonate supplementation slows the rate of progression of renal failure to ESRD and improves nutritional status among patients with CKD.

Marital quality, marital disruption, and immune function

Abstract: Marital disruption is associated with significant increases in a variety of psychologic and physical disorders. In order to examine psychologic and physiologic mediators, self-report data and blood samples were obtained from 38 married women and 38 separated/divorced women. Among married subjects, poorer marital quality was associated with greater depression and a poorer response on three qualitative measures of immune function. Women who had been separated 1 year or less had significantly poorer qualitative and quantitative immune function than their sociodemographically matched married counterparts. Among the separated/divorced cohort, shorter separation periods and greater attachment to the (ex)husband were associated with poorer immune function and greater depression. These data are consistent with epidemiologic evidence linking marital disruption with increased morbidity and mortality.

Serum Albumin Level and Physical Disability as Predictors of Mortality in Older Persons

Abstract: Objectives. —To study the relationship between serum albumin level and all-cause mortality in an elderly population and to evaluate the role of albumin level in combination with physical disability status in predicting mortality. Design. —Cohort study with a mean follow-up of 3.7 years. Setting. —Three communities: East Boston, Mass, New Haven, Conn, and Iowa and Washington counties, Iowa. Subjects. —A total of 1486 men and 2630 women aged 71 years and older who consented to have blood drawn. Results. —During follow-up, 447 men and 488 women died. In both sexes, there was a graded increase in mortality rate with decreasing albumin level. After adjusting for age, race, education, chronic conditions, and disability status, hypoalbuminemia ( Conclusions. —Serum albumin level is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in older persons. A combined measure of albumin and disability reveals a strong gradient in mortality risk and may serve as a simple but useful index of frailty that can identify a high-risk group of older men and women who could be targeted for preventive and treatment efforts. ( JAMA . 1994;272:1036-1042)