Kidney and combined kidney and pancreas transplantation may be under-utilized in cystic fibrosis

Peri-operative and long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with cystic fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

There is a lack of data regarding the peri-operative and long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Herein, we report the peri-operative and long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in CF patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All CF patients who received a kidney transplant at the national kidney transplant center between 1993 and 2022 were identified. Recipients of the contralateral donor kidney were selected as a control group. Primary outcomes included 1-, 5-, and 10- year death-censored graft survival and overall survival. Secondary outcomes included peri-operative morbidity, acute graft rejection, delayed graft function (DGF), and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

Fourteen patients received a kidney transplant over the study period. Median age at transplantation was 35 (IQR 31, 40) years. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year death-censored graft survival was 92, 74, and 74% in the CF group compared to 100, 92, and 92% in the control group (p = .44). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival in the CF group was 85, 66, and 57% compared to 100, 92, and 82% in the control group (p = .036). There was no significant difference in peri-operative outcomes including LOS (10 vs. 11 days, p = .84), ICU admission (1 vs. 0 patients, p > .99), acute rejection episodes (2 vs. 1 patients, p > .99), and DGF (1 vs. 2 patients, p = .60).

CONCLUSION

CF patients have good long-term graft survival, however, overall survival was worse compared to a matched cohort. These data provide important information for transplant surgeons when considering suitable donor allografts in this unique patient population.