Clinical risk factors associated with the post-transplant anemia in kidney transplant patients

The Efficacy and Safety of Roxadustat for the Treatment of Posttransplantation Anemia: A Randomized Study

Introduction

Roxadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor, can stimulate erythropoiesis. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of roxadustat for the treatment of posttransplantation anemia (PTA).

Methods

A total of 150 adult renal transplant recipients who underwent PTA were randomized to either the experimental group or the control group. During the 12-week randomized phase, the experimental group was randomized to oral iron and roxadustat treatment, and the control group was randomized to oral iron treatment only. The randomized phase was followed by a 12-week extended treatment period in which all participants were prescribed roxadustat treatment according to hemoglobin (Hb) levels. All the participants were followed-up with every 4 weeks. The primary end points were the change in Hb levels and response rate throughout the randomized period.

Results

A total of 128 participants completed the randomized treatment period (90 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group). The mean Hb concentration at week 12 was 12.20 g/dl in the experimental group and 11.19 g/dl in the control group. A significantly higher proportion of participants who achieved Hb responses were in the experimental group than in the control group. Differences in serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin from baseline to week 8 to 12 were significant between the 2 groups. The adverse event profiles were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Roxadustat increased Hb in adult renal transplant recipients who underwent PTA, with an adverse event profile comparable to that of the control group.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Posttransplant Anemia With Overall Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Posttransplant anemia is a common finding after kidney transplantation. A previous meta-analysis reported an association between anemia and graft loss. However, data on cardiovascular outcomes have not yet been reported. Objective: We conducted an updated meta-analysis to examine the association between posttransplant anemia and outcomes after transplantation including cardiovascular mortality in adult kidney transplant recipients. Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to November 2021. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. Generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird was employed to calculate the risk ratios and 95% CIs. Results: Seventeen studies from August 2006 to April 2019 were included (16 463 kidney transplantation recipients). Posttransplant anemia was associated with overall mortality (pooled risk ratio = 1.72 [1.39, 2.13], I² = 56%), graft loss (pooled risk ratio = 2.28 [1.77, 2.93], I² = 94%), cardiovascular death (pooled risk ratio = 2.06 [1.35, 3.16], I² = 0%), and cardiovascular events (pooled risk ratio = 1.33 [1.10, 1.61], I² = 0%). Early anemia (≤6 months), compared with late anemia (>6 months), has higher risk of overall mortality and graft loss with a pooled risk ratio of 2.63 (95% CI 1.79-3.86; I² = 0%) and 2.96 (95% CI 2.29-3.82; I² = 0%), respectively. Discussion: In addition to increased risk of graft loss, our updated meta-analysis demonstrated that posttransplant anemia was significantly associated with poor outcomes after kidney transplantation including overall mortality, graft loss, cardiovascular death, and cardiovascular events. Future studies are required to assess the effects of treatment strategies for posttransplant anemia on posttransplant outcomes including cardiovascular mortality.

Anemia in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients-Etiologies and Management

Posttransplant anemia (PTA) is a common complication of pediatric kidney transplantation, with a prevalence ranging from 22 to 85%. PTA is categorized as early (within 6 months posttransplant) and late (>6 months posttransplant). Early PTA is typically associated with surgical blood losses and iron deficiency. Late PTA primarily results from graft dysfunction; however, iron deficiency, drug toxicity, and posttransplant inflammation also play a role. PTA is more severe compared with the anemia in glomerular-filtration-rate matched patients with native chronic kidney disease. Treatment of PTA is directed toward the underlying cause. Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) are effective; however, their use is limited in the transplant setting. Timely diagnosis and treatment of PTA are vital to prevent long-term adverse outcomes in pediatric transplant recipients.

Factors associated with anaemia in kidney transplant recipients in the first year after transplantation: a cross-sectional study

Background

Anaemia after kidney transplantation may reduce quality of life, graft or patient survival. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for anaemia in the initial 12 months after transplantation.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study at 6 and 12 months after transplantation. Anaemia was defined by World Health Organization criteria taking into consideration erythropoietin use. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between demographic, clinical and pharmacological risk factors for the main outcome of moderate-severe anaemia.

Results

A total of 336 transplant recipients were included and the prevalence of moderate-severe anaemia was 27.4% at 6 months and 15.2% at 12 months. Lower kidney function, female gender, transferrin saturation below 10% and proteinuria were associated with moderate-severe anaemia at both time points. Recent intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was associated with anaemia at 6 months. Recent infection and acute rejection were also associated with anaemia 12 months. Around 20% of patients had at least one blood transfusion but they were uncommon beyond 3 months.

Conclusions

Anaemia remains highly prevalent requiring treatment with erythropoietin and transfusions. Most identifiable risk factors relate to clinical problems rather than pharmacological management, while markers of iron-deficiency remain difficult to interpret in this setting.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12882-018-1054-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.