Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Renal Transplantation in Elderly Recipients

Influence of diabetes and other risk factors on in-hospital mortality following kidney transplantation: an analysis of the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database from 2016 to 2020

INTRODUCTION

To assess time trends in incidence, clinical characteristics, complications, and hospital outcomes among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and patients without diabetes who underwent kidney transplant (KT); to identify variables associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM); and to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used a nationwide discharge database to select KT recipients admitted to Spanish hospitals from 2016 to 2020. We stratified patients according to diabetes status. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify the variables associated with IHM.

RESULTS

A total of 14 594 KTs were performed in Spain (T2D, 22.28%; T1D, 3.72%). The number of KTs rose between 2016 and 2019 and and decreased from 2019 to 2020 in all groups. In patients with T2D, the frequency of KT complications increased from 21.08% in 2016 to 34.17% in 2020 (p<0.001). Patients with T2D had significantly more comorbidity than patients with T1D and patients without diabetes (p<0.001). Patients with T1D experienced KT rejection significantly more frequently (8.09%) than patients with T2D (5.57%).COVID-19 was recorded in 26 out of the 2444 KTs performed in 2020, being found in 6 of the 39 patients deceased that year (15.38%) and in 0.83% of the survivors.The variables associated with IHM were comorbidity and complications of KT. The presence of T1D was associated with IHM (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.36 to 5.16) when patients without diabetes were the reference category. However, T2D was not associated with a higher IHM (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.2).

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in the number of transplants. Patients with T1D have more rejection of the transplanted organ than patients with T2D. Fewer women with T2D undergo KT. The presence of T1D is a risk factor for IHM.

Kidney transplantation following iliac revascularization in severe atherosclerosis: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) has become the standard of care for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, as atherosclerosis progresses with time on dialysis, it causes increasing difficulties in implanting the graft. This is a comparative study analyzing complications and graft survival of recipients with iliac revascularization before transplantation.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and December 2015, 1691 kidney transplants were performed at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed eighteen patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with the necessity of vascular revascularization before kidney transplantation to protect the inflow to the renal graft and to optimizing blood supply to the extremities. The primary endpoint included patient survival and graft survival. The secondary endpoints evaluate perioperative and early postoperative complication rates after kidney transplantation.

RESULTS

All patients enrolled in this study underwent two consecutive surgical procedures. No patient reported limb loss, and there was no additional perioperative morbidity or mortality related to the vascular procedure. Primary endpoints such as graft survival without dialysis and overall patient survival show 1-month survival of 100%, 1-year survival of 94.1%, and 5-year survival of 84.70%, respectively. One graft failure occurred 8 months after transplantation due to acute rejection, and there were two deaths over follow-up period due to myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular repair before kidney transplantation is safe, and results are suggestive that it prolongs graft survival. These promising results should encourage other centers to address vascular repair before the transplantation to optimize blood supply to the extremity and the future graft. Although, the interpretation of our results must be cautiously because of the small and heterogeneous sample size, and the limitations of retrospective study design. Prospective trials with larger study populations are needed to confirm the results of this study and to identify significant differences.

Impact of kidney transplant morbidity on elderly recipients' outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nowadays, advanced age does not represent an absolute contraindication to kidney transplantation (KT). However, aging is frequently associated with multiple comorbidities and lower performance status, making KT candidates less surgically fit. Limited data are available on the impact of KT morbidity on elderly recipients' outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective study on a single center cohort of 130 KT recipients over 65 years old, representing 16.2% of KT clinical series, during the period 2000-2018. Number and severity of comorbidities were evaluated with the Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI).

RESULTS

The median age at transplantation was 67 [IQR66-71] years and median CCI was 5 [IQR4-6]. The prevalence of postoperative complications with a Clavien-Dindo (C-D) severity score > 2 was 29%. Increasing age did not predict KT morbidity in terms of C-D score > 2, infectious, respiratory, cardiologic, urologic or vascular complications, delayed graft function, symptomatic lymphocele, bleeding, acute or chronic rejection. Conversely, CCI score was a predictor of overall complications with C-D score > 2, cardiologic, respiratory and vascular complications, and bleeding. Among others, CCI score, post-KT cardiologic complications, C-D score > 2 were identified as significant predictors of both early mortality and graft loss in univariate analysis. Increasing recipient age did not correlate with graft loss risk and graft loss did not impact patient survival. C-D score > 2 was a predictor of poor survival even in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly recipients showed a significant vulnerability to KT morbidity which correlates with CCI. While graft loss did not impact recipient survival, severe postoperative complications (C-D > 2) were independently associated increased mortality.

Risk Factors for 1-Year Graft Loss After Kidney Transplantation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

With expansion of the pool of kidney grafts, through the use of higher-risk donors, and increased attention to donor management strategies, the 1-year graft survival rate is subject to change. It is, therefore, useful to elucidate 1-year graft survival rates by dissecting the characteristics of the low-risk and high-risk kidney transplant cases. The objective of our study was to evaluate factors purported to influence the risk of 1-year graft loss in kidney transplant recipients.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We searched bibliographic databases from 2000 to 2017 and included observational studies that measured the association between donor, recipient, the transplant operation, or early postoperative complications, and 1-year death-censored graft loss.

RESULTS

We identified 35 eligible primary studies, with 20 risk factors amenable to meta-analysis. Six factors were associated with graft loss, with moderate to high degree of certainty: donor age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 per 10-year increase; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04 to 1.18), extended criteria donors (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.42), deceased donors (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.32 to 1.82), number of HLA mismatches (HR, 1.08 per one mismatch increase; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.09), recipient age (HR, 1.17 per 10-year increase; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.25), and delayed graft function (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.46 to 2.47) as risk factors for 1-year graft loss. Pooled analyses also excluded, with a high degree of certainty, any associations of cold ischemia time, recipient race, pretransplant body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension with 1-year graft loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Recipient age, donor age, standard versus extended criteria donor, living versus deceased donor, HLA mismatch, and delayed graft function all predicted 1-year graft survival. The effect of each risk factor is small.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Endoscopic Surgical Procedures in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Comparison Between Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, GreenLight Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate, and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

Purpose: The main objective of this multicentric retrospective pilot study was to evaluate the 1-year follow-up safety (i.e., minor [Clavien-Dindo I-II] and major [Clavien-Dindo ≥III] complications) of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate (GL PVP), and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) performed after kidney transplantation (KT). The secondary objectives were to evaluate the efficacy and to assess the impact of these procedures on graft function. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included all KT recipients who underwent a HoLEP or GL PVP or TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in three French university centers. Results: From January 2013 to April 2018, 60 BPH endoscopic surgical procedures in KT recipients were performed: 17 HoLEP (HoLEP group), 9 GL PVP (GL PVP group), and 34 TURP (TURP group). Age, body mass index, preoperative serum creatinine, preoperative International Prostatic Symptom Score, preoperative Q_max, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, medical history of acute urinary retention (AUR), urinary tract infection (UTI), and indwelling urethral catheter were similar in all study groups. Mean preoperative prostate volume was higher in HoLEP group. The rate of overall postoperative complications was statistically higher in the HoLEP group (11/17 [64.7%] vs 1/9 [11.1%] vs 12/34 [35.3%] in HoLEP group, GL PVP group, and TURP group, respectively, p = 0.02), with higher rate of long-term UTI and AUR. Q_max improved in all groups after operation. Delta postoperative month 12-preoperative serum creatinine was similar in the all groups. Conclusions: Although our study is underpowered, the rate of postoperative complications is higher with HoLEP procedure, in comparison with GL PVP, for the treatment of BPH after KT. One-year efficacy is similar in HoLEP, GL PVP, and TURP groups. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our results.

Post-Renal Transplantation Outcomes in Elderly Patients Compared to Younger Patients in the Setting of Early Steroid Withdrawal

BACKGROUND

Previous studies reported improved outcomes for renal recipients undergoing early steroid withdrawal (ESW), with significantly lower rates of new-onset diabetes, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and malignancy. As renal transplants in older adults has increased, studies have shown similar outcomes between elderly and younger patients. We aim to evaluate post-renal transplantation outcomes in elderly patients compared to younger patients who have undergone ESW.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of adults who received transplants between January 2004 and December 2014 and received either basiliximab or antithymocyte globulin for induction, underwent ESW, and received tacrolimus and mycophenolate for maintenance. Patients were stratified based on age (≥60 vs <60). The 1-year primary end point was a composite of patient survival, graft survival, biopsy-proven acute rejection, and serum creatinine. The secondary outcomes included renal function, the incidence of opportunistic infections, malignancies, diabetes, and cardiovascular complications. Cox regression was used to evaluate variables that may affect rejection.

RESULTS

The sample included 292 patients; 72 were elderly individuals and 220 were younger adults. No significant differences were found in the primary end point or incidence of CMV, BK virus, or malignancy ( P = 1.0, .82, and .06, respectively). The use of blood pressure medications and the need for lipid-lowering agents were significantly higher in elderly patients at last follow-up. Diabetes was more common in elderly patients (15.2% vs 8.41%, P = .11). The induction agent used did not show any significant effect on rejection risk.

CONCLUSION

We report similar outcomes in elderly patients compared to younger patients in the setting of ESW.

Surgical Techniques and Procedures for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Severe Atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Atherosclerosis is becoming a more common problem for dialysis patients. Therefore, transplant surgeons are faced with the need to develop surgical techniques and procedures for severe atherosclerosis. This study aimed to clarify the clinical features, the usefulness of examinations, and operative procedures for kidney transplant recipients with the complication of severe atherosclerosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 220 kidney transplant candidates, 13 patients (severe atherosclerosis group) were predicted complications due to arterial calcification in the bilateral iliac arterial system using a computed tomographic scan. They were compared with the remaining 207 patients (mild atherosclerosis group) based on patient characteristics. The severe atherosclerosis group was evaluated by additional examination, anastomosis procedure of the graft artery, and patient outcome.

RESULTS

The severe atherosclerosis group had significantly higher rates of mean recipient age, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, past smoking, and administration of antithrombotics. Past vascular surgery related to atherosclerosis in the aortoiliac region had been performed in 8 patients from the severe atherosclerosis group. A three-dimensional computed tomography angiography and an intraoperative periarterial echography were useful to determine the kidney transplant site. A balloon catheter effectively blocked blood flow. A polytetrafluoroethylene vascular graft was used for bypass between the graft artery and abdominal aorta. All kidney grafts of the severe atherosclerosis group were functioning well.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney transplant for patients with severe atherosclerosis can be achieved successfully by additional examinations and vascular surgical techniques.

Effect of age on the outcome of renal transplantation: A single-center experience

Objectives:

To analyze the effects of old age on renal transplantation (Tx) results and graft survival, and compared elderly patient population with the young patients.

Methods:

A total of 1946 renal transplant were performed from 1537 living and 409 cadaveric donors between 2003 and 2014. The recipients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of transplantation. The young age group consisted of 18-59-year-old, and the elderly group consisted of the ones ≥ 60 years.

Results:

Acute rejection was seen in 19.5% of the young age group while this rate was 16.7% in the old age group (p=0.535). DGF was seen in 6.3% of the young age group, and in 13.5% of the old age group (p<0.001). Analysis of the overall survival rates demonstrated that 1.6% of the patients in the young age group and 6.8% of the patients in the old age groups died (p=0.003).

Conclusions:

Renal transplant had high graft survival rates in the elderly as in the young patients. However, the risks for complications were higher in the older age group compared to the younger age group. Thus, it is important to make a careful selection among elderly candidates for renal transplantation.

Transurethral resection of the prostate in kidney transplant recipients: urological and renal functional outcomes at long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To assess prospectively the safety and efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms attributable to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients who have undergone renal transplantation (RT). To assess the impact of TURP on renal graft function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Urological and renal functional outcomes of TURP performed in RT recipients for treatment of lower urinary tract obstruction attributable to BPH were prospectively assessed in a series of 32 consecutive patients with follow-up of ≥48 months. Maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) at uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), haemoglobin and serum creatinine (sCr) levels were recorded before TURP and 1, 6, 24 and 48 months after the procedure. The trends in these variables after TURP were evaluated. Early and delayed complications were assessed and graded according to the Clavien classification system.

RESULTS

TURP was performed at a mean of 6 months after RT. No intraoperative complications occurred. Seven postoperative complications were observed (21.9%): two Clavien grade II and five Clavien grade IIIa. Qmax , IPSS and PVR improved significantly after surgery and the improvement was maintained until 48 months. No patient required a repeat TURP during follow-up. SCr levels significantly decreased 1 and 6 months after TURP and did not significantly increase at long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

TURP for lower urinary tract obstruction attributable to BPH in RT recipients is safe and effective since it improves urinary flow, bladder emptying and related urinary symptoms. TURP allows an early significant improvement of graft function that is maintained at a follow-up of 48 months.

Pseudorejection and true rejection after kidney transplantation: classification and clinical significance

OBJECTIVES

Multiple factors may result in an elevation in serum creatinine level after kidney transplantation, mimicking rejection. It is crucial to differentiate between a true rejection and other conditions inducing a 'pseudorejection', in order to avoid overtreatment, or worse, mistreatment. Our goal was to review and classify true rejections and pseudorejections and their clinical significance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective review of articles published in the USA and Europe, from 1976 to the present. The sites from which information was retrieved included PubMed, Clinical Imaging, Histopathology, Archives of Surgery, JACS, the American Urological Association, Medline and Springer Link. The importance of the resistive index will also be emphasized.

RESULTS

We reviewed 61 articles regarding the causes of renal graft dysfunction, which may be classified into true rejections and pseudorejections, the latter including the following 6 factors: hyperglycemia, ureteral obstruction, lymphocele, arterial stenosis, infection and recurrence of primary pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

'Pseudorejection' has been described only once, for the first time in 1976 in the USA, and there have been no other reports since then. Multiple factors, mainly hyperglycemia, may induce a pseudorejection, presenting with an elevation of serum creatinine level and leading the clinician to an erroneous diagnosis of true rejection initially, resulting in inappropriate management.