Quality of Life of Older Patients Undergoing Renal Transplantation: Finding the Right Immunosuppressive Treatment

Changes in the Quality of Life and Nutrition Markers in Transition From End-Stage Kidney Disease to Kidney Transplantation: Insights From a Vietnamese Cohort

Background Malnutrition is strongly associated with lower quality of life (QoL) and lower survival rates in patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, the impact of renal transplantation on nutrition factors and QoL is unclear. Therefore, this study aims to assess changes in QoL and investigate the relationships with nutrition factors among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Materials and methods A longitudinal study included 86 dialysis patients aged 18-65 years who underwent primary kidney transplantation (KTx) and were followed up for one year. Body weight, biochemical parameters, and QoL data were collected before transplantation (T0) and at six months (T6) and 12 months (T12) post-transplantation. Effect size (ES) was used to measure the impact of KTx on QoL and nutritional status from T0 to T12. The predictors of QoL were calculated with β-coefficients and p<0.05 in linear regression. Results The ES of transplantation on the QoL of KTRs was large, at 1.1 for health change, 0.9 for physical health, and moderate (0.7) for mental health (MH) over one year. Hemoglobin and malnourished were affected by KTx, with ES being 2.4 and 0.6, respectively. Linear regression showed that physical health was predicted by hemoglobin (β=0.12, p<0.01), phosphorus (β=7.82, p<0.05), and dose of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (β=-0.01, p<0.05). Mental health was predicted by obesity (β=-7.63, p<0.05), hemoglobin (β=0.11, p<0.05), and phosphorus (β=8.49, p<0.01). Health change was indicated by nutritional risk index (NRI) score (β=0.47, p<0.05), total cholesterol (β=3.39, p<0.01), and kidney function (β=0.15, p<0.05). Conclusions The transition from end-stage kidney disease to transplantation has positive impacts on QoL and nutrition markers. Nutritional status, kidney function, and the dose of mycophenolate mofetil are significant determinants of QoL in KTRs.

Trends and predictors of multidimensional health-related quality of life after living donor kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) imparts the best graft and patient survival for most end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Yet, there remains variation in post-LDKT health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Improved understanding of post-LDKT HRQOL can help identify patients for interventions to maximize the benefit of LDKT.

METHODS

For 477 LDKT recipients transplanted between 11/2007 and 08/2016, we assessed physical, mental, social, and kidney-targeted HRQOL pre-LDKT, as well as 3 and 12 months post-operatively using the SF-36, Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Kidney Symptom Index 19 item version (FKSI-19). We then examined trajectories of each HRQOL domain using latent growth curve models (LGCMs). We also examined associations between decline in HRQOL from 3 months to 12 months post-LDKT and death censored graft failure (DCGF) using Cox regression.

RESULTS

Large magnitude effects (d > 0.80) were observed from pre- to post-LDKT change on the SF-36 Vitality scale (d = 0.81) and the KDQOL-SF Burden of Kidney Disease (d = 1.05). Older age and smaller pre- to post-LDKT decreases in serum creatinine were associated with smaller improvements on many HRQOL scales across all domains in LGCMs. Higher DCGF rates were associated with worse physical [e.g., SF-36 PCS_oblique hazard ratio (HR) 1.18; 95% CI 1.01-1.38], mental (KDQOL-SF Cognitive Function HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.00-1.62), and kidney-targeted (FKSI-19 HR: 1.18; 95% CI 1.00-1.38) HRQOL domains.

CONCLUSION

Clinical HRQOL monitoring may help identify patients who are most likely to have failing grafts and who would benefit from post-LDKT intervention.

Hepatitis A vaccine immunogenicity in patients using immunosuppressive drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Inactivated hepatitis A (HepA) vaccines are very immunogenic in healthy individuals; however, it remains unclear how different immunosuppressive regimens affect HepA vaccine immunogenicity. Our objective was to summarise the current evidence on immunogenicity of HepA vaccination in patients using immunosuppressive drugs.

METHODS

We systematically searched the literature for studies on immunogenicity of inactivated HepA vaccines in adults using immunosuppressive drugs. Studies reporting seroconversion rates (SCR) 4-8 weeks after 1 and 2 doses of HepA vaccine in organ transplant recipients and patients with chronic inflammatory conditions were included in a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We included 17 studies, comprising 1,332 individuals. In healthy controls (2 studies), SCRs were 90-94% after the first dose and 100% after the second dose. In organ transplant recipients, SCRs ranged from 0 to 67% after the first dose of vaccine and 0-97% after the second dose. In patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, SCRs ranged from 6% to 100% after the first dose and from 48 to 100% after the second dose of vaccine. Patients using a TNF-alpha inhibitor versus conventional immune-modulators (e.g. methotrexate, azathioprine, corticosteroids) were more likely to seroconvert after the first dose of vaccine (OR12.1 [2.14-68.2]) but not after the second dose of vaccine (OR 0.78 [0.21-2.92]) in a meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

Studies evaluating HepA vaccine immunogenicity in immunosuppressive agents are heterogeneous. Overall, there is an impaired immune response following HepA vaccination in patients using immunosuppressive drugs, especially after only one dose of vaccine and in organ transplant recipients. HepA vaccination should therefore be considered before immunosuppressive therapy. Future research should focus on alternative vaccination regimens and long-term immunogenicity.

PROSPERO ID

CRD42018102607.

[Description of immunosuppressive maintenance treatments post kidney transplant through the National System of Health Insurance]

The aim of this study was to describe the drug dispensing of maintenance immunosuppression treatment in 2014 for patients who received a kidney transplant in 2012, based on the data of the French national health insurance and to compare those results with the information collected in the national database for kidney recipients. For each patient, are considered all drugs dispensing with their dates of issue, the molecules and their presentations (number of pills and dosage). Among 2463 transplanted adults in 2012, 73% have received tacrolimus monohydrate, 59% mycophenolate mofetil, 54% prednisone and 20% cyclosporin in 2014. The daily doses but not the number of tablets per day declined with age. The most frequent association was tacrolimus monohydrate-mycophenolate mofetil-steroids in 34% of the cases. The use of mTOR inhibitors, rare generally (7%), is more common in patients aged 66-85 years. Associations did not differ significantly according to diabetic status, for patients with a kidney from an elderly donor or according to the number of mismatch. The daily doses estimated from the deliverance in pharmacy are respectively similar, understated and over-estimate for tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporin compared to the national database. This study confirms the difficulty of apprehending drug consumption based only on dispensing in pharmacies or punctual recording even if it allows a fairly comprehensive view of French practices.

Immunosuppression in the elderly renal allograft recipient: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The Elderly are the fastest growing part of kidney transplant recipients. The best immunosuppressive strategy is unknown.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of randomized controlled trials and observational studies focused on safety and efficacy of different immunosuppression strategies in elderly kidney recipients. Data extraction and risk of bias evaluation were systematically performed.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included: 2 randomized clinical trials and 8 observational. A marginal benefit was found for early renal function with delayed tacrolimus or complete tacrolimus avoidance using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Observational cohort studies looked at different antibody induction strategies, calcineurin-inhibitors based maintenance immunosuppression, calcineurin-inhibitor-free sirolimus-based therapy and use of MMF versus azathioprine. Treatment with interleukin-2 receptor antibody induction, calcineurin-inhibitor minimization with MMF and steroid minimization is advisable in the low immunologic risk elderly recipient, considering the increased risk of toxicities, infection and malignancies. In the high immunologic risk elderly recipient, taking into account the morbid consequences of acute rejection in the elderly, observational studies support antibody induction with depletive antibodies, calcineurin-inhibitor, MMF and steroids; calcineurin-inhibitor-minimization is not recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

There is very limited evidence for the benefits and harms of different immunosuppression strategies in the elderly. Most of the published literature are observational studies, and randomized controlled trials are urgently needed.

Correlation of the Volume Control Parameters With Health Related Quality of Life in Renal Transplant Patients

INTRODUCTION

Transplantation is the most effective treatment strategy for end-stage renal failure. We aimed to investigate the correlation of volume control parameters with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in renal transplantation patients during the pre- and post-transplantation periods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-seven patients who underwent renal transplantation from deceased donors between January 2011 and January 2013 were included in the study. The biochemical markers, complete blood count, and creatinine levels were measured during pretransplantation and at post-transplantation month 6. The Turkish version of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire was used for the assessment of HRQoL. Blood pressure (BP) and echocardiographic measurements were used to evaluate the volume status.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were achieved in all echocardiographic measurements, biochemical parameters except Ca(++), and SF-36 questionnaire domain scores (DSs) except vitality in the post-transplantation period. Systolic BP (SBP), the left atrium index, vena cava inferior collapsibility index (VCCI), and diastolic BP were associated with vitality (P = .02, .03, .05, and .04, respectively); SBP was associated with social functioning (P < .01) and role emotional (P < .01); and left ventricular mass index was associated with mental health (P = .05) DSs during the pretransplantation period. In the post-transplantation period, VCCI, left ventricular mass index, and SBP were associated with general health (P = .02, .05, and .05, respectively); VCCI and SBP were also associated with mental health (P = .05 and .01, respectively); and left atrium index was associated with role emotional (P = .05) DSs.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant improvement in the volemic status may contribute to improvements in HRQoL after renal transplantation.

Renal transplantation in elderly patients. How to select the candidates to the waiting list?

Today, old age does not represent a formal contraindication to kidney transplantation. Rather, there is evidence that in elderly patients renal transplantation offers longer life expectancy and better quality of life in comparison with dialysis. Yet, the results of renal transplantation in recipients older than 65years are inferior to those observed in younger adults, death with functioning graft representing a major cause of failure. Therefore, the selection of aged patients is of paramount importance. Apart from the routine clinical and biological investigations, three aspects have been relatively neglected by the transplant community and may require a careful analysis in elderly candidates to transplantation: the presence and degree of frailty, the presence of comorbidities and the adherence to prescriptions. Although there are rapid and simple tests for assessing the degree of frailty in the elderly, there is no clear cut-off value to decide whether a patient should be accepted or not. With advanced age the prevalence and severity of cardiovascular events and other diseases tend to increase. The use of combined age-comorbidity indices may be helpful to identify patients at high risk of mortality. Another critical point is the poor unintentional adherence to treatment, often caused by forgetfulness and mild cognitive impairment. These drawbacks may be further enhanced by a high number of pills to take and by changes in the dosage or type of prescriptions. A careful screening of the presence and degree of frailty, comorbidity and poor compliance to treatment is highly recommended before admitting older candidates to the waiting list for transplantation.