Effect of Everolimus with Low-Dose Tacrolimus on Development of New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation and Allograft Function in Kidney Transplantation: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Trial

Immunosuppressive drug combinations after kidney transplantation and post-transplant diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation (KT). This systematic review investigated the effect of different immunosuppressive regimens on the risk of PTDM. We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included KT recipients with any immunosuppression and reported PTDM outcomes up to 1 October 2023. The analysis included 125 RCTs. We found no differences in PTDM risk within induction therapies. In de novo KT, there was an increased risk of developing PTDM with tacrolimus versus cyclosporin (RR 1.71, 95%CI [1.38-2.11]). No differences were observed between tacrolimus+mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi) and tacrolimus+MMF/MPA, but there was a tendency towards a higher risk of PTDM in the cyclosporin+mTORi group (RR 1.42, 95%CI [0.99-2.04]). Conversion from cyclosporin to an mTORi increased PTDM risk (RR 1.89, 95%CI [1.18-3.03]). De novo belatacept compared with a calcineurin inhibitor resulted in 50% lower risk of PTDM (RR 0.50, 95%CI [0.32-0.79]). Steroid avoidance resulted in 31% lower PTDM risk (RR 0.69, 95%CI [0.57-0.83]), whereas steroid withdrawal resulted in no differences. Immunosuppression should be decided on an individual basis, carefully weighing the risk of future PTDM and rejection.

2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Maximizing opportunities for kidney transplantation in older adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the current state of evidence related to the outcomes of older adults who need and receive kidney transplants, and strategies to facilitate appropriate transplant access in this at-risk group.

RECENT FINDINGS

Older adults are a rapidly growing subgroup of the kidney transplant waitlist. Compared to younger adults, older kidney transplant recipients have increased mortality after kidney transplant and lower death-censored graft survival. In determining suitability for transplantation in older patients, clinicians must balance procedural and immunosuppression-related risk with incremental survival when compared with dialysis. To appropriately increase access to transplantation in this population, clinicians and policy makers consider candidates' chronological age and frailty, as well as the quality of and waiting time for a donated allograft. Given risk of deterioration prior to transplant, candidates should be rapidly evaluated, listed, and transplanted using living donor and or less than ideal deceased donor organs when available.

SUMMARY

Access to transplantation for older adults can be increased through targeted interventions to address frailty and reduce waiting times through optimized organ use. Focused study and educational interventions for patients and providers are needed to improve the outcomes of this vulnerable group.

2. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Post-renal Transplant Patients on Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate: A Systematic Review

A frequent complication in kidney transplantation is post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). The primary goal of this study is to review the risk factors and preventive methods and compare the different available anti-diabetic medications for the management of PTDM. We searched databases like Pubmed and Google Scholar for related articles using specific terms and phrases. Following a thorough investigation, we applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria and completed a quality assessment. Modifiable risk factors have a significant role in the development of PTDM. The combinations of immunosuppressive treatment tacrolimus (TAC), cyclosporine A (CYC), and everolimus (EVL), steroids increase the incidence of PTDM significantly. Insulin is the most effective treatment for PTDM in the early transplant period; however, oral anti-diabetic medications look promising. Further clinical trials are required to determine the optimum treatment method for reducing the occurrence of PTDM and treating the existing condition with novel anti-hyperglycemic medications.

Prevalence of fatty liver disease after liver transplantation and risk factors for recipients and donors

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Fatty liver disease (FLD) may develop in liver transplant recipients. We investigated the recipient and donor risk factors for FLD development after liver transplantation (LT).

METHODS

A total of 108 liver transplant recipients (54 men [50.0%]; median age, 52 [20-68] years) treated from 2011-2020 was enrolled. Three recipients died at < 3 months as a result of infection or blood flow impairment, and were excluded from the long-term FLD study. On evaluation of 88 prospective living donors, fatty liver was observed in 21. The prevalence and risk factors for FLD and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

After LT, 28 of 105 recipients (26.7%) developed FLD. FLD was more common in patients with a high body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia (both p < 0.01), primary nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (p = 0.02), after living-donor LT (p = 0.03) and everolimus (EVL) use (p = 0.08). Factors predictive of FLD included EVL use and a high BMI (hazard ratios = 3.00 and 1.34; p = 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Sixteen donors lost 6.5 kg (range: 2.0-16.0 kg) of body weight prior to LT. However, there were no cases of primary non-function, which did not affect the FLD prevalence. Development of FLD did not have a negative impact on LT outcome; the 5-year survival rate was 92.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Recipient factors were more important than donor factors for FLD onset after LT.

Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus and Immunosuppression Selection in Older and Obese Kidney Recipients

Rationale & Objective

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (DM) after kidney transplantation increases morbidity and mortality, particularly in older and obese recipients. We aimed to examine the impact of immunosuppression selection on the risk of posttransplant DM among both older and obese kidney transplant recipients.

Study Design

Retrospective database study.

Setting & Participants

Kidney-only transplant recipients aged ≥18 years from 2005 to 2016 in the United States from US Renal Data System records, which integrate Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing records with Medicare billing claims.

Exposures

Various immunosuppression regimens in the first 3 months after transplant.

Outcomes

Development of DM >3 months-to-1 year posttransplant.

Analytical Approach

We used multivariable Cox regression to compare the incidence of posttransplant DM by immunosuppression regimen with the reference regimen of thymoglobulin (TMG) or alemtuzumab (ALEM) with tacrolimus + mycophenolic acid + prednisone using inverse propensity weighting.

Results

12.7% of kidney transplant recipients developed posttransplant DM with higher incidences in older (≥55 years vs <55 years: 16.7% vs 10.1%) and obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m² vs BMI < 30 kg/m²: 17.1% vs 10.9%) patients. The incidence of posttransplant DM was lower with steroid avoidance [TMG/ALEM + no prednisone (8.4%) and IL2rAb + no prednisone (9.7%)] than TMG/ALEM with triple therapy (13.1%). After adjustment for donor and recipient characteristics, TMG/ALEM with steroid avoidance was beneficial for all groups [age < 55 years: adjusted HR (aHR), 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.72); age ≥ 55 years: aHR, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.60-0.79); BMI < 30 kg/m²: aHR, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.60-0.78); BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²: aHR, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.57-0.79)]. However, IL2rAb with steroid avoidance was beneficial only for older patients (aHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.99) and for those with BMI < 30 kg/m² (aHR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46-0.87).

Limitations

Retrospective study and lacked data on immunosuppression levels.

Conclusions

The beneficial impact of steroid avoidance using tacrolimus on posttransplant DM appears to differ by patient age and induction regimen.

2. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Obesity and Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Transplantation

Worldwide, the prevalence obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease is increasing apace. The relationship between obesity and chronic kidney disease is multidimensional, especially when diabetes is also considered. The optimal treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease includes the need to consider weight loss as part of the treatment. The exact relationship between obesity and kidney function before and after transplantation is not as clear as previously imagined. Historically, patients with obesity had worse outcomes following kidney transplantation and weight loss before surgery was encouraged. However, recent studies have found less of a correlation between obesity and transplant outcomes. Transplantation itself is also a risk factor for developing diabetes, a condition known as post-transplant diabetes mellitus, and is related to the use of immunosuppressive medications and weight gain following transplantation. Newer classes of anti-diabetic medications, namely SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, are increasingly being recognized, not only for their ability to control diabetes, but also for their cardio and renoprotective effects. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the management of obesity and post-transplant diabetes mellitus for kidney transplant patients.