Department of Internal Medicine

Nephrology Faculty

William Lawton photo

Medical School:
Northwestern University

Residency:
Northwestern University
McGaw Medical Center

Fellowship:
The University of Iowa

Special Training:
Investigator: Hypertension-Endocrine Branch, NHLBI; NIH

William J. Lawton, M.D.
Associate Professor (Emeritus)

Dr. Lawton's research has involved studies of hypertension. Dr. Lawton was the Principal Investigator for the University of Iowa component of ALLHAT (50 study subjects) in a recently completed multicenter trial of 40,000 subjects. This study sought to determine if newer antihypertensive agents (Lisinopril or Amlodipine or Doxazosin) were better or worse than a diuretic (Chlorthalidone) regarding myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events. There was also a lipid-lowering arm (Pravastatin vs. diet therapy) for subjects with hypercholesterolemia. This ALLHAT Study (Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) found that diuretics were as good as, and in some instances better, than Amlodipine or Lisinopril in preventing myocardial infarction or cardiovascular events. The monotherapy arm with Doxazosin was stopped early due to excessive congestive heart failure.

Dr. Lawton and other members of the Renal Division also recently completed studies determining the optimal target treatment level for diastolic pressure to determine if diastolic pressure less than 90mmHg reduces cardiovascular and renal events. The optimal level for minimizing cardiovascular events is BP 138/83 with recommendations to treat blood pressure to 130-140/mid 80's. There was no "J" curve phenomenon (worsening cardiovascular events with lower pressures) observed. This multicenter trial was called the HOT Study (Hypertension Optimal Treatment). Dr. Lawton was had a longstanding interest in the inter-relationship between dietary sodium and potassium, hypertension, neurogenic factors and renal vascular responses, and has completed studies in this area.

Dr. Lawton and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Alan Christensen are currently collaborating in several studies regarding cognitive behavior techniques, which may improve compliance in dialysis patients. These studies are unique in: a) In longitudinally following psychological profiles and coping techniques over a period of years in patients approaching dialysis and transplant, through the transition to renal replacement therapy, and beyond; b) Determining psychological factors which best suit patients for successful adjustment to home dialysis vs center dialysis; c) Intervening through small group programs to improve compliance with dietary and medication regimens in dialysis. Dr. Lawton is currently an Investigator with Dr. James Rossen, cardiologist for the CORAL Study (Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions). The CORAL study will test the hypothesis that "Medical therapy with stenting of hemodynamically-significant renal artery stenoses, in patients with systolic hypertension, reduces the incidence of adverse cardiovascular and renal events, compared to medical therapy alone.

Honors, Awards, and Organizations

American Association for the Advancement of Science
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine and Board of Nephrology
American College of Physicians, Member
American Heart Association
Council on High Blood Pressure Research, Fellow
American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
American Society for Nephrology
Beta Beta Beta, Biological Honor Society
Christian Medical and Dental association
Inter-American Society of Hypertension
National Kidney Foundation of Iowa: Past President
Society for Experimental Biology
Ernest O. Theilen Clinical Service and Teaching Award
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award

Recent Publications

  1. McDade-Montez, E.A., Christensen, A.J., Cvengros, J.A., and Lawton, W.J.: The Role of Depression Symptoms in Dialysis Withdrawal. Health Psychology 25(2):198-204, 2006.
  2. Cvengros, J.A., Christensen, A.J., and Lawton, W.J.: Perceived control, desire for control, and adherence to a chronic medical regimen. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 27(3):155-151, 2004.
  3. Heistad, D., and Lawton, W.J.: "Hypertensive Encephalopathy," chapter in "Hypertension Primer;" 3rd ed., 2003.
  4. Christensen, A.J., Wiebe, J.S., and Lawton, W.J.: Cynical Hostility, Expectancies About Health Care Providers, and Patient Adherence in Hemodialysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 59:307-312, 1997.
  5. Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., Lawton, W.J., Stallman, D., and Voigts, A.L.: Monitoring Attentional Style and Patient Adherence in Chronic Illness. Health Psychology, 16 (3):256-262, 1997.
  6. Moran, P.J., Christensen, A.J., Lawton, W.J.: Social Support and Conscientiousness in Hemodialysis Adherence. Annals of Behavior Medicine, 19(4):333-338, 1997.
  7. Heistad, D., and Lawton, W.J.: Hypertensive Encephalopathy. Hypertension Primer, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 1999.
  8. Lawton, W.J., and DiBona, G.: Normal Blood Pressure Control and the Evaluation of Hypertension, a chapter in "Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, editors: Richard Johnson, M.D., and MJR Feehally. Published by Mosby, 1999.
  9. ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group: Major Cardiovascular Events in Hypertensive Patients Randomized to Doxazosin vs Chlorthalidone. JAMA 283(15):1967-1975, 2000.
  10. Christensen, A.J., Ehlers, S.L., Raichle, K.A., Bertolatus, J.A., Lawton, W.J.: Predicting Change in Depression Following Renal Transplantation: Effect of Patient Coping Preferences. Health Psychology, 19(4):348-353, 2000.
  11. Cutler, J.A., et al: Rationale and Design for the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack (ALLHAT), Chapter 22 in "Clinical Trials in Hypertension", ed. Henry R. Black. Published by Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001 (Dr. Lawton is a Principal Investigator for ALLHAT).
  12. Sharafuddin, M.J., Stolpen, A.H., Dixon, B.S., Andresen, K.J., Sun, S., Lawton, W.J.: Value of Magnetic Resonance Angiography Prior to Percutaneous Transluminal Renal Artery Angioplasty and Stenting. (JVIR 2002, 111). Presented, in part, at the SCVIR 26th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX 2001.
  13. Sharafuddin, M.J.A., Raboi, C.A., Abu-Yousef, M., Lawton, W.J., Gordon, J.A.: Renal Artery Stenosis: Duplex US after Angioplasty and Stent Placement. Radiology, 220(1):168-173, 2001.
  14. Moran, PJ, Paichle, K, Ferneyhough, K, and Lawton, WJ: Patient Personality and Mortality: A 4-Year Prospective Examination of Chronic Renal Insufficiency. Health Psychology, 21(4):315-320, 2002.
  15. Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., Wiebe, J.S., Ehlers, S.L., and Lawton, W.J.: Effect of a Behavioral Self-Regulation Intervention on Patient Adherence in Hemodialysis. Health Psychology, 21(4):393-397, 2002.
  16. Lawton, W.J., and DiBona, G.: "Normal Blood Pressure Control and the Evaluation of Hypertension," a chapter in "Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology," 2nd ed., editors: Richard Johnson, M.D., and MJR Feehally. Published by Mosby; 2003.
  17. ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group: Major Outcomes in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients Randomized to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor or Calcium Channel Blocker vs Diuretic. JAMA, 288(23):2981-2997, 2002.
  18. ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group: Major Outcomes in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic, Hypertensive Patients Randomized to Pravastatin vs Usual Care. JAMA, 228(23):2998-3007, 2002.

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