Outcomes in Renal Transplant Recipients With Lupus Nephritis-A Single-Center Experience and Review of the Literature

The impact of antiphospholipid antibodies/antiphospholipid syndrome on systemic lupus erythematosus

aPLs are a major determinant of the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with SLE. They adversely affect clinical manifestations, damage accrual and prognosis. Apart from the antibodies included in the 2006 revised classification criteria for APS, other non-classical aPLs might help in identifying SLE patients at increased risk of thrombotic events. The best studied are IgA anti-β2-glycoprotein I, anti-domain I β2-glycoprotein I and aPS-PT. Major organ involvement includes kidney and neuropsychiatric systems. aPL/APS severely impacts pregnancy outcomes. Due to increased thrombotic risk, these patients require aggressive cardiovascular risk factor control. Primary prophylaxis is based on low-dose aspirin in high-risk patients. Warfarin is the gold-standard drug for secondary prophylaxis.

Kidney transplant outcomes in children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Literature supports equivalent kidney transplant outcomes in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with those without SLE. However, there are conflicting and scant data on kidney transplant outcomes, as well as controversy over optimal timing of transplantation, in children and adolescents with SLE.

METHODS

Analysis included kidney-only transplant recipients aged 2-21 years from 2000 to 2017 enrolled in the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN). The relationship between diagnosis (SLE n = 457, non-SLE glomerular disease n = 4492, and non-SLE non-glomerular disease n = 5605) and transplant outcomes was evaluated. The association between dialysis time and outcomes was analyzed in the SLE group only.

RESULTS

In adjusted models, SLE had higher mortality compared with non-SLE glomerular recipients (HR 1.24 CI 1.07-1.44) and non-glomerular recipients (HR 1.42 CI 1.20-1.70). SLE was associated with higher graft failure compared with non-SLE glomerular (HR 1.42 CI 1.20-1.69) and non-glomerular disease (HR 1.67 CI 1.22-2.28). SLE had a higher risk of acute rejection at 1 year compared with non-glomerular disease (HR 1.39 CI 1.03-1.88). There was a decreased risk of delayed graft function compared with non-SLE glomerular disease (HR 0.54, CI 0.36-0.82). There were no significant associations between dialysis time and transplant outcomes in the SLE group.

CONCLUSION

SLE in children and adolescents is associated with worse patient and graft survival compared with non-SLE diagnoses. Outcomes in children and adolescents with SLE are not associated with dialysis time. Further studies are needed to assess implications of potential earlier transplantation and shorter time on dialysis prior to transplantation.

Relapse and Outcome of Lupus Nephritis After Renal Transplantation in the Modern Immunosuppressive Era

Background

Recurrence of lupus nephritis in the graft is a concern in lupus patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing renal transplantation. The recurrence of lupus nephritis has been variable among different studies depending on the patient characteristics, immunosuppressive regimen, and indications of renal biopsy. Therefore, we investigated the recurrence of lupus nephritis among our patients to see if the new post-transplant regimen has impacted the recurrence.

Methods

We collected data on all recipients with end-stage renal disease secondary to lupus nephritis, who received renal transplants between 2006-2017 in our center. Patient demographics, transplant, and dialysis-related information have been recorded including kidney biopsy, graft loss, and survival were recorded. An association between recurrent lupus nephritis with survival and/or graft loss was examined using survival models.

Results

The overall mean±SD age at baseline was 42±13 years; 89% were female; 89% were African American; the previous time on dialysis was a median of 4 years (IQR: 2-8 years), 81% received hemodialysis and 31% received living donor transplantation in the cohort. Our patients received the standard immunosuppressive regimen consisting of prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Four (10.5%) of the 38 patients had biopsy-proven lupus nephritis recurrence. A total of 10 patients (26%) had graft loss or died during the median follow-up time of 1,230 days (IQR: 460-2,227 days). Recurrence of lupus nephritis showed a trend for increased risk of graft loss or patient death (Hazard Ratio: 3.14, 95%Confidence Interval: 0.65-15.24) compared to the recipient without recurrence in our unadjusted proportional Cox regression model.

Conclusion

The recurrence rate of lupus nephritis in our patient population is much lower compared to past studies from different immunosuppressive eras. Patients with recurrent lupus nephritis showed an increased risk of graft loss or death.

Recurrent Glomerulonephritis in the Kidney Allograft

Renal transplantation is the preferred form of renal replacement therapy in patients who develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Among the diverse etiologies of ESKD, glomerulonephritis is the third most common cause, behind hypertensive and diabetic kidney disease. Although efforts to prolong graft survival have improved over time with the advent of novel immunosuppression, recurrent glomerulonephritis remains a major threat to renal allograft survival despite concomitant immunosuppression. As a result, clinical expertise, early diagnosis and intervention will help identify recurrent disease and facilitate prompt treatment, thus minimizing graft loss, resulting in improved outcomes. In this review, we highlight the clinicopathologcal characteristics of certain glomerular diseases that recur in the renal allograft.

Recommendations of the Spanish Rheumatology Society for Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Part II: Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Special Situations

OBJECTIVE

The difficulty in diagnosis and the spectrum of clinical manifestations that can determine the choice of treatment for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has fostered the development of recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), based on the best possible evidence. These recommendations can serve as a reference for rheumatologists and other specialists involved in the management of APS.

METHODS

A panel of 4rheumatologists, a gynaecologist and a haematologist with expertise in APS was created, previously selected by the SER through an open call or based on professional merits. The stages of the work were: identification of the key areas for the document elaboration, analysis and synthesis of the scientific evidence (using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, SIGN levels of evidence) and formulation of recommendations based on this evidence and formal assessment or reasoned judgement techniques (consensus techniques).

RESULTS

Forty-six recommendations were drawn up, addressing 5main areas: diagnosis and evaluation, measurement of primary thromboprophylaxis, treatment for APS or secondary thromboprophylaxis, treatment for obstetric APS and special situations. These recommendations also include the role of novel oral anticoagulants, the problem of recurrences or the key risk factors identified in these subjects. This document reflects the last 25, referring to the areas of: obstetric APS and special situations. The document provides a table of recommendations and treatment algorithms.

CONCLUSIONS

Update of SER recommendations on APS is presented. This document corresponds to part II, related to obstetric SAF and special situations. These recommendations are considered tools for decision-making for clinicians, taking into consideration both the decision of the physician experienced in APS and the patient. A part I has also been prepared, which addresses aspects related to diagnosis, evaluation and treatment.

Recurrence of disease following organ transplantation in autoimmune liver disease and systemic lupus erythematosus

Disease recurrence after organ transplantation associated with graft failure is a major clinical challenge in autoimmune diseases. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) are the three most common (autoimmune liver diseases) ALD for which liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective treatment option for patients with end-stage diseases. Although the 5- and 10-year survival rates of post-LT patients are remarkable (80-84% and 71-79% in PBC, 73-87% and 58-83% in PSC, 76-79% and 67-77% respectively in AIH patients), post-LT disease recurrence is not uncommon. Here, we summarize literature findings on disease recurrence of these ALD with emphasis on the incidence, risk factors and impact on long-term outcome. We noted that the incidence of disease recurrence varies between studies, which ranges from 53% to 10.9% in PBC, 8.2% to 44.7% in PSC and 7% to 42% in AIH. The variations are likely due to differences in study design, such as sample size, duration of studies and follow up time. This is further compounded by the lack of precise clinical diagnosis criteria and biomarkers of disease recurrence in these ALD, variation in post-LT treatment protocols to prevent disease recurrence and a multitude of risk factors associated with these ALD. While recurrence of PBC and AIH does not significantly impact long term outcome including overall survival, recurrent PSC patients often require another LT. Renal transplantation, like LT, is the treatment of choice in patients with end-stage lupus nephritis. While calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and immunosuppressive drugs have improved the survival rate, post-transplant recurrence of lupus nephritis from surveillance-biopsy proven lupus nephritis range from 30% to 44%. On the other hand, recurrence of post-transplant lupus nephritis from registry survey analysis were only 1.1% to 2.4%. In general, risk factors associated with an increased frequency of post-transplant recurrence of autoimmune diseases are not clearly defined. Large scale multi-center studies are needed to further define guidelines for the diagnosis and clinical management to minimize disease recurrence and improve outcomes of post-transplant patients.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Nephropathy and Other Thrombotic Microangiopathies Among Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and other causes of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) negatively impact the renal outcomes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis. Here we review the diagnosis and management of occlusive renal vascular lesions due to APS and other TMAs, with a focus on patients with SLE and lupus nephritis. The presence of a thrombotic event, unexplained hypertension, thrombocytopenia, or hemolytic anemia should prompt consideration for TMA syndromes. The differential diagnosis of a TMA in a patient with SLE includes APS, thrombocytopenic purpura, complement-mediated or infection-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome, drug-mediated TMA (particularly due to calcineurin inhibitor toxicity), and malignant hypertension. Treatment of APS with a documented thrombotic event focuses on anticoagulation to reduce the risk for further thrombotic events. Treatment of classic presentations of thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome in the SLE population is the same as in patients without SLE. Treatment of APS nephropathy or TMA when it is diagnosed by biopsy with concomitant lupus nephritis presents a challenge to clinicians because there is no clear standard of care. Small and retrospective studies suggest potential benefit of complement inhibition, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition, B cell depleting therapy, and plasma exchange therapy for patients with lupus nephritis and TMA, and prospective investigation of these therapies should be a research priority.

Renal Transplantation and Survival Among Patients With Lupus Nephritis: A Cohort Study

Background

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to lupus nephritis (LN) have high rates of premature death.

Objective

To assess the potential effect on survival of renal transplant among patients with ESRD due to LN (LN-ESRD) in the United States.

Design

Nationwide cohort study.

Setting

United States Renal Data System, the national database of nearly all patients with ESRD.

Participants

Patients with incident LN-ESRD who were waitlisted for a renal transplant.

Measurements

First renal transplant was analyzed as a time-varying exposure. The primary outcomes were all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of these outcomes associated with renal transplant in the primary analysis. Sequential cohort matching was used in a secondary analysis limited to patients with Medicare, which allowed assessment of time-varying covariates.

Results

During the study period, 9659 patients with LN-ESRD were waitlisted for a renal transplant, of whom 5738 (59%) had a transplant. Most were female (82%) and nonwhite (60%). Transplant was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.27 to 0.33]) among waitlisted patients. Adjusted HRs for cause-specific mortality were 0.26 (CI, 0.23 to 0.30) for cardiovascular disease, 0.30 (CI, 0.19 to 0.48) for coronary heart disease, 0.41 (CI, 0.32 to 0.52) for infection, and 0.41 (CI, 0.31 to 0.53) for sepsis.

Limitation

Unmeasured factors may contribute to the observed associations; however, the E-value analysis suggested robustness of the results.

Conclusion

Renal transplant was associated with a survival benefit, primarily due to reduced deaths from cardiovascular disease and infection. The findings highlight the benefit of timely referral for transplant to improve outcomes in this population.

Primary Funding Source

National Institutes of Health.