Long-term prognosis of patients after kidney transplantation: a comparison of those with or without diabetes mellitus

Early Post-Renal Transplant Hyperglycemia

CONTEXT

Though posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM, occurring > 45 days after transplantation) and its complications are well described, early post-renal transplant hyperglycemia (EPTH) (< 45 days) similarly puts kidney transplant recipients at risk of infections, rehospitalizations, and graft failure and is not emphasized much in the literature. Proactive screening and management of EPTH is required given these consequences.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to promote recognition of early post-renal transplant hyperglycemia, and to summarize available information on its pathophysiology, adverse effects, and management.

METHODS

A PubMed search was conducted for "early post-renal transplant hyperglycemia," "immediate posttransplant hyperglycemia," "post-renal transplant diabetes," "renal transplant," "diabetes," and combinations of these terms. EPTH is associated with significant complications including acute graft failure, rehospitalizations, cardiovascular events, PTDM, and infections.

CONCLUSION

Patients with diabetes experience better glycemic control in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with resurgence of hyperglycemia after kidney transplant. Patients with and without known diabetes are at risk of EPTH. Risk factors include elevated pretransplant fasting glucose, diabetes, glucocorticoids, chronic infections, and posttransplant infections. We find that EPTH increases risk of re-hospitalizations from infections (cytomegalovirus, possibly COVID-19), acute graft rejections, cardiovascular events, and PTDM. It is essential, therefore, to provide diabetes education to patients before discharge. Insulin remains the standard of care while inpatient. Close follow-up after discharge is recommended for insulin adjustment. Some agents like dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have shown promise. The tenuous kidney function in the early posttransplant period and lack of data limit the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. There is a need for studies assessing noninsulin agents for EPTH to decrease risk of hypoglycemia associated with insulin and long-term complications of EPTH.

Safety and Efficacy of Long-Term Administration of Dipeptidyl peptidase IV Inhibitors in Patients With New Onset Diabetes After Kidney Transplant

OBJECTIVES

The appearance of new onset diabetes is common after kidney transplant. Treatment options are limited because of renal function-related contraindications, interactions with immunosuppressive drugs, and side effects. We investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors in renal transplant recipients with new onset diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated 12 patients with dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors, and 5 patients received insulin monotherapy as initial treatment of new onset diabetes after kidney transplant. All patients were followed for 12 months after diagnosis. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation), plasma immunosuppressive trough levels, serum lipids, blood pressure, and body weight were measured during outpatient visits. Effects of dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and insulin on the aforementioned parameters were measured to compare values at time of diagnosis versus mean values of the last 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients were treated with linagliptin (4 patients), sitagliptin (4 patients), vildagliptin (2 patients), and alogliptin (2 patients). Patients had a mean age of 59.4 ± 12 years and a mean glycosylated hemoglobin A1c of 6.6% at diagnosis, which was decreased to 6.1% (P = .03) at 1 year of follow-up. Renal function remained stable, and plasma tacrolimus levels did not appear to be affected. No significant differences were shown in serum total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels aftertreatment. Nevertheless,triglyceride levels were significantly reduced (from 214.4 to 174.9 mg/dL; P = .0039). A decrease in body weight was also observed. Finally, patients treated with dipeptidyl peptidase V inhibitors achieved better glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels than those treated with insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors appear to be a safe, effective, and hypoglycemia-free option fortreatment of new onset diabetes in renaltransplant recipients and possibly provide better diabetes control than insulin therapy.

Care of the Renal Transplant Patient

Renal transplant has become a mainstay of treatment of patients with chronic renal failure. With improving survival outcomes, primary care physicians should be informed of the nuances that come with the ongoing care of this population and feel empowered to take part in the multidisciplinary care of these patients. This article provides an overview of the renal transplant process from initial evaluation through surgery and then focuses on long-term issues that renal transplant patients face in the primary care setting.

Glucose-lowering agents for treating pre-existing and new-onset diabetes in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation is the preferred management for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, it is often complicated by worsening or new-onset diabetes. The safety and efficacy of glucose-lowering agents after kidney transplantation is largely unknown. This is an update of a review first published in 2017.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucose-lowering agents for treating pre-existing and new onset diabetes in people who have undergone kidney transplantation.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 16 January 2020 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and cross-over studies examining head-to-head comparisons of active regimens of glucose-lowering therapy or active regimen compared with placebo/standard care in patients who have received a kidney transplant and have diabetes were eligible for inclusion.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Four authors independently assessed study eligibility and quality and performed data extraction. Continuous outcomes were expressed as post-treatment mean differences (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD). Adverse events were expressed as post-treatment absolute risk differences (RD). Dichotomous clinical outcomes were presented as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Ten studies (21 records, 603 randomised participants) were included - three additional studies (five records) since our last review. Four studies compared more intensive versus less intensive insulin therapy; two studies compared dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors to placebo; one study compared DPP-4 inhibitors to insulin glargine; one study compared sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to placebo; and two studies compared glitazones and insulin to insulin therapy alone. The majority of studies had an unclear to a high risk of bias. There were no studies examining the effects of biguanides, glinides, GLP-1 agonists, or sulphonylureas. Compared to less intensive insulin therapy, it is unclear if more intensive insulin therapy has an effect on transplant or graft survival (4 studies, 301 participants: RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.32 to 3.94; I2 = 49%; very low certainty evidence), delayed graft function (2 studies, 153 participants: RR 0.63, 0.42 to 0.93; I2 = 0%; very low certainty evidence), HbA1c (1 study, 16 participants; very low certainty evidence), fasting blood glucose (1 study, 24 participants; very low certainty evidence), kidney function markers (1 study, 26 participants; very low certainty evidence), death (any cause) (3 studies, 208 participants" RR 0.68, 0.29 to 1.58; I2 = 0%; very low certainty evidence), hypoglycaemia (4 studies, 301 participants; very low certainty evidence) and medication discontinuation due to adverse effects (1 study, 60 participants; very low certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, it is unclear whether DPP-4 inhibitors have an effect on hypoglycaemia and medication discontinuation (2 studies, 51 participants; very low certainty evidence). However, DPP-4 inhibitors may reduce HbA1c and fasting blood glucose but not kidney function markers (1 study, 32 participants; low certainty evidence). Compared to insulin glargine, it is unclear if DPP-4 inhibitors have an effect on HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, hypoglycaemia or discontinuation due to adverse events (1 study, 45 participants; very low certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors probably do not affect kidney graft survival (1 study, 44 participants; moderate certainty evidence), but may reduce HbA1c without affecting fasting blood glucose and eGFR long-term (1 study, 44 participants, low certainty evidence). SGLT2 inhibitors probably do not increase hypoglycaemia, and probably have little or no effect on medication discontinuation due to adverse events. However, all participants discontinuing SGLT2 inhibitors had urinary tract infections (1 study, 44 participants, moderate certainty evidence). Compared to insulin therapy alone, it is unclear if glitazones added to insulin have an effect on HbA1c or kidney function markers (1 study, 62 participants; very low certainty evidence). However, glitazones may make little or no difference to fasting blood glucose (2 studies, 120 participants; low certainty evidence), and medication discontinuation due to adverse events (1 study, 62 participants; low certainty evidence). No studies of DPP-4 inhibitors, or glitazones reported effects on transplant or graft survival, delayed graft function or death (any cause).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and safety of glucose-lowering agents in the treatment of pre-existing and new-onset diabetes in kidney transplant recipients is questionable. Evidence from existing studies examining the effect of intensive insulin therapy, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT inhibitors and glitazones is mostly of low to very low certainty. Appropriately blinded, larger, and higher quality RCTs are needed to evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of contemporary glucose-lowering agents in the kidney transplant population.

Determinants of Poor Glycemic Control in Patients with Kidney Transplants: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study in Canada

Background:

Kidney transplant immunosuppressive medications are known to impair glucose metabolism, causing worsened glycemic control in patients with pre-transplant diabetes mellitus (PrTDM) and new onset of diabetes after transplant (NODAT).

Objectives:

To determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of both PrTDM and NODAT patients.

Design:

This is a single-center retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting:

The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada.

Participant:

A total of 132 adult (>18 years) kidney transplant patients from 2013 to 2015 were retrospectively followed 3 years post-transplant.

Measurements:

Patient characteristics, transplant information, pre- and post-transplant HbA1C and random glucose, follow-up appointments, complications, and readmissions.

Methods:

We looked at the prevalence of poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.5%) in the PrTDM group before and after transplant and compared the prevalence, follow-up appointments, and rate of complications and readmission rates in both the PrTDM and NODAT groups. We determined the risk factors of developing poor glycemic control in PrTDM patients and NODAT. Student t-test was used to compare means, chi-squared test was used to compare percentages, and univariate analysis to determine risk factors was performed by logistical regression.

Results:

A total of 42 patients (31.8%) had PrTDM and 12 patients (13.3%) developed NODAT. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.5%) was more prevalent in the PrTDM (76.4%) patients compared to those with NODAT (16.7%; P < .01). PrTDM patients were more likely to receive follow-up with an endocrinologist (P < .01) and diabetes nurse (P < .01) compared to those with NODAT. There were no differences in the complication and readmission rates for PrTDM and NODAT patients. Receiving a transplant from a deceased donor was associated with having poor glycemic control, odds ratio (OR) = 3.34, confidence interval (CI = 1.08, 10.4), P = .04. Both patient age, OR = 1.07, CI (1.02, 1.3), P < .01, and peritoneal dialysis prior to transplant, OR = 4.57, CI (1.28, 16.3), P = .02, were associated with NODAT.

Limitations:

Our study was limited by our small sample size. We also could not account for any diabetes screening performed outside of our center or follow-up appointments with family physicians or community endocrinologists.

Conclusion:

Poor glycemic control is common in the kidney transplant population. Glycemic targets for patients with PrTDM are not being met in our center and our study highlights the gap in the literature focusing on the prevalence and outcomes of poor glycemic control in these patients. Closer follow-up and attention may be needed for those who are at risk for worse glycemic control, which include older patients, those who received a deceased donor kidney, and/or prior peritoneal dialysis.

Effect of Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus on Graft Loss After Living-Donor Kidney Transplant at a Single Institution

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate predictive factors for graft loss in patients who received kidney transplantation (KT) from living kidney donors (LKDs) at a single institute in Japan.

METHODS

Our study focused on patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent KT from LKDs and were followed up for at least 1 year after surgery. The primary end point was graft survival (GS). GS after KT was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. GS according to subgroup classification was analyzed using the log-rank test. A multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 105.5 months after KT. The 5- and 10-year GS rates were 97.8% and 96.0% in KT recipients (KTRs) without posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and 89.9% and 63.2% in those with PTDM, respectively. The rate of graft loss was significantly higher in KTRs with PTDM than in those without PTDM (P < .001). Of the KTRs whose diabetes mellitus (DM) was cured after KT, those who underwent dialysis because of diabetic nephropathy had no graft loss. In the multivariate analysis, the serum creatinine level at 1 month after KT, PTDM, and human leukocyte antigen mismatches were significantly associated with graft loss after KT.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the rate of graft loss in KTRs with PTDM was significantly higher than that of KTRs without PTDM. However, among KTRs whose DM was cured after KT, those who underwent dialysis because of diabetic nephropathy had no graft loss.

Renal transplant among type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients in Spain: A population-based study from 2002 to 2013

BACKGROUND

To describe trends in the rates and short-term outcomes of renal transplants (RTx) among patients with or without diabetes in Spain (2002-2013).

METHODS

We used national hospital discharge data to select all hospital admissions for RTx. We divided the study period into four three-year periods. Rates were calculated stratified by diabetes status: type 1 diabetes (T1DM), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and no-diabetes. We analyzed Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), post-transplant infections, in-hospital complications of RTx, rejection, in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay.

FINDINGS

We identified 25,542 RTx. Rates of RTx increased significantly in T2DM patients over time (from 9.3 cases/100,000 in 2002/2004 to 13.3 cases/100,000 in 2011/2013), with higher rates among people with T2DM for all time periods. T2DM patients were older and had higher CCI values than T1DM and non-diabetic patients (CCI≥1, 31.4%, 20.4% and 21.5%, respectively; P<0.05). Time trend analyses showed significant increases in infections, RTx-associated complications and rejection for all groups (all P values<0.05). Infection rates were greater in people with T2DM (20.8%) and T1DM (23.5%) than in non-diabetic people (18.7%; P<0.05). Time trend analyses (2002-2013) showed significant decreases in mortality during admission for RTx (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.83). Diabetes was not associated with a higher in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.20, 95% CI 0.92-1.55).

INTERPRETATION

RTx rates were higher and increased over time at a higher rate among T2DM patients. Mortality decreased over time in all groups. Diabetes does not predict mortality during admission for RTx.

FUNDING

Instituto Salud Carlos III and URJC-Banco Santander.

Effects of acute rejection vs new-onset diabetes after transplant on transplant outcomes in pediatric kidney recipients: analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) database

Improving long-term transplant and patient survival is still an ongoing challenge in kidney transplant medicine. Our objective was to identify the subsequent risks of new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT) and acute rejection (AR) in the first year post-transplant in predicting mortality and transplant failure. A total of 4687 patients without preexisting diabetes (age 2-20 years, 2004-2010) surviving with a functioning transplant for longer than 1 year with at least one follow-up report were identified from the OPTN/UNOS database as of September 2014. Study population was stratified into four mutually exclusive groups: Group 1, patients with a history of AR; Group 2, NODAT+; Group 3, NODAT+ AR+; and Group 4, the reference group (neither). Multivariate regression was used to analyze the relative risks for the outcomes of transplant failure and mortality. The median follow-up time was 1827 days after 1 year post-transplant. AR was associated with an increased risk of adjusted graft and death-censored graft failure (HR 2.87, CI 2.48-3.33, P < .001 and HR 2.11, CI 1.81-2.47, P < .001), respectively. NODAT and AR were identified in 3.5% and 14.5% of all study patients, respectively. AR in the first year post-transplant was a major risk factor for overall and death-censored graft failure, but not mortality. However, NODAT was not a risk factor on graft survival or mortality.

Effects of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors on Hyperglycemia and Blood Cyclosporine Levels in Renal Transplant Patients with Diabetes: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

The use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is increasing among renal transplant patients with diabetes. However, the glucose-lowering efficacies of various DPP-4 inhibitors and their effects on blood cyclosporine levels have not been fully investigated. We compared the glucose-lowering efficacies of DPP 4 inhibitors and evaluate their effects on the blood levels of cyclosporine in renal transplant recipients with diabetes.

METHODS

Sixty-five renal allograft recipients who received treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors (vildagliptin, sitagliptin, or linagliptin) following kidney transplant were enrolled. The glucose-lowering efficacies of the DPP-4 inhibitors were compared according to the changes in the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels after 3 months of treatment. Changes in the trough levels of the cyclosporine were also assessed 2 months after treatment with each DPP-4 inhibitor.

RESULTS

HbA1c significantly decreased in the linagliptin group in comparison with other DPP-4 inhibitors (vildagliptin -0.38%±1.03%, sitagliptin -0.53%±0.95%, and linagliptin -1.40±1.34; P=0.016). Cyclosporine trough levels were significantly increased in the sitagliptin group compared with vildagliptin group (30.62±81.70 ng/mL vs. -24.22±53.54 ng/mL, P=0.036). Cyclosporine trough levels were minimally changed in patients with linagliptin.

CONCLUSION

Linagliptin demonstrates superior glucose-lowering efficacy and minimal effect on cyclosporine trough levels in comparison with other DPP-4 inhibitors in kidney transplant patients with diabetes.

Negative impact of underlying non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus nephropathy on long-term allograft survival in kidney transplantation: a 10-year analysis from a single center

INTRODUCTION

We analyzed the relationship between underlying nephropathy and long-term outcomes in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 678 patients who underwent kidney transplantation (KTx) between 1998 and 2011. Recipients with 13 major nephropathies were evaluated for graft and patient survival, and causes of graft loss.

RESULTS

The best 10-year graft survival rates (100%) were in the patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease, preeclampsia, Alport syndrome, and purpura nephritis. The worst rate (50.8%) was in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus nephropathy (NIDDMN; P = .039). Causes of graft-loss in the NIDDM patients included chronic rejection (6 cases), acute rejection (3 cases), infection (2 cases), and cardiovascular event (2 cases). Significant risk factors for graft loss were donor age (P < .01) and NIDDMN (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Underlying NIDDMN before KTx was a significant risk factor for long-term graft function. Immunologic factors and nonimmunologic factors influenced the long-term outcomes in patients with underlying NIDDMN.

Diabetes mellitus in the transplanted kidney

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. New onset diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT) has been described in approximately 30% of non-diabetic kidney-transplant recipients many years post transplantation. DM in patients with kidney transplantation constitutes a major comorbidity, and has significant impact on the patients and allografts' outcome. In addition to the major comorbidity and mortality that result from cardiovascular and other DM complications, long standing DM after kidney-transplant has significant pathological injury to the allograft, which results in lowering the allografts and the patients' survivals. In spite of the cumulative body of data on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in the native kidney, there has been very limited data on the DN in the transplanted kidney. In this review, we will shed the light on the risk factors that lead to the development of NODAT. We will also describe the impact of DM on the transplanted kidney, and the outcome of kidney-transplant recipients with NODAT. Additionally, we will present the most acceptable data on management of NODAT.

Hyperglycemia after renal transplantation: frequency and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Chronic renal failure is an important and common complication of diabetes mellitus; hence, renal transplantation is a frequent and the acceptable treatment in patients with diabetic nephropathy requiring renal replacement therapy. On the other hand, renal transplantation and its conventional treatment can lead to increased diabetes outbreak in normoglycemic recipients. Also, uncontrolled hyperglycemia may be increased and allograft lost thus decreasing patient survival.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the frequency of hyperglycemia in transplant patients and its risk factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A large retrospective study was performed on 3342 adult kidney transplant recipients between 2008 and 2010. Demographic and laboratory data were gathered for each patient. All tests were done in a single laboratory and hyperglycemia was defined as a fasting plasma glucose of > 125 mg/dL. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors of hyperglycemia following kidney transplantation.

RESULTS

There were 2120 (63.4%) males and 1212 (36.3%) females. Prevalence of hyperglycemia was 22.5%. By univariate linear regression, hyperglycemia was significantly higher in patients with CMV infection (P = 0.001), elevated serum creatinine (P = 0.000), low HDL (P = 0.01), and increased blood levels of cyclosporine (P = 0.000). After adjusting for covariates by multivariate logistic regression, the hyperglycemia rate was significantly higher for patients with Cyclosporine trough level > 250 (P = 0.000), serum creatinine > 1.5 (P = 0.000) and HDL < 45 (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that hyperglycemia is a common metabolic disorder in Iranian kidney transplant patients. Risk factors for hyperglycemia were higher Cyclosporine level, impaired renal function, and reduced HDL value.

Early posttransplantation hyperglycemia in kidney transplant recipients is associated with overall long-term graft losses

BACKGROUND

The association of early-onset posttransplantation hyperglycemia with long-term renal allograft survival is unknown.

METHODS

Seventy-one (SD 9) days after transplantation, 1410 first-time kidney transplant recipients without diabetes underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and were observed until primary outcome (graft loss) or December 31, 2008 (median [range], 6.0 years [0.3-13.8 years]). We used multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, creatinine level, donor age, preemptive transplantation, deceased donor, early rejection, and early cytomegalovirus infection to estimate hazard ratios for overall and death-censored allograft survival.

RESULTS

A total of 392 (28%) recipients experienced graft failure, and 235 (60%) were induced by death. Each 1 mmol/L increase in 2-hr plasma glucose (2hPG) was associated with 7% and 3% increased risk of unadjusted and adjusted overall graft failure (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.07 [1.04-1.10] and 1.03 [1.00-1.07]). Fasting plasma glucose was associated with unadjusted but not adjusted overall graft failure (1.09 [1.01-1.18] and 1.07 [0.98-1.17]). Neither 2hPG nor fasting plasma glucose was associated with death-censored graft loss (P=0.578 and P=0.896). Compared with recipients with normal glucose tolerance, recipients with posttransplantation diabetes mellitus showed a tendency toward increased overall multiadjusted graft failure (1.30 [0.98-1.73]). This was not observed in patients with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 2hPG was associated with overall graft failure but not death-censored graft failure. The link between 2hPG and graft failure may be explained by the association with mortality.

Time-dependent impact of diabetes on the mortality of patients on renal replacement therapy: a population-based study in Germany (2002-2009)

AIMS

To estimate the impact of diabetes on the mortality of patients with incident renal replacement therapy (RRT).

METHODS

We assessed the mortality of 544 incident RRT patients aged ≥ 30 years between 2002 and 2009 (57.9% men, mean age 70.3 years, 49.6% patients with diabetes) by analyzing the data of all dialysis centers covering a German region. We compared the estimated time-dependent hazard ratios of patients with and without diabetes by using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model.

RESULTS

Overall, 319 patients had died (158 diabetic), approximately 50% after 3 years. Up to about 3 years, the mortality rate was lower in diabetic than in nondiabetic patients. Thereafter, the survival curves crossed (interaction diabetes × time, p = 0.002; adjusted hazard ratios for diabetes: baseline, 0.66; year 1, 0.84; year 2, 1.05; year 3, 1.33; year 4, 1.68). The results were similar in men and women; however, the interaction of diabetes and time was significant only in men (p = 0.004). Further significant risk factors of mortality were age, sex, initial central venous catheter, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study, the influence of diabetes was time-dependent, with a lower mortality in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients in the first three years but a higher mortality in these patients after 3 years. Results were similar in men and women.

Recurrence of secondary glomerular disease after renal transplantation

The risk of a posttransplant recurrence of secondary glomerulonephritis (GN) is quite variable. Histologic recurrence is frequent in lupus nephritis, but the lesions are rarely severe and usually do not impair the long-term graft outcome. Patients with Henoch-Schonlein nephritis have graft survival similar to that of other renal diseases, although recurrent Henoch-Schonlein nephritis with extensive crescents has a poor prognosis. Amyloid light-chain amyloidosis recurs frequently in renal allografts but it rarely causes graft failure. Amyloidosis secondary to chronic inflammation may also recur, but this is extremely rare in patients with Behcet's disease or in those with familial Mediterranean fever, when the latter are treated with colchicine. Double organ transplantation (liver/kidney; heart/kidney), chemotherapy, and autologous stem cell transplantation may be considered in particular cases of amyloidosis, such as hereditary amyloidosis or multiple myeloma. There is little experience with renal transplantation in light-chain deposition disease, fibrillary/immunotactoid GN, or mixed cryoglobulinemic nephritis but successful cases have been reported. Diabetic nephropathy often recurs but usually only after many years. Recurrence in patients with small vessel vasculitis is unpredictable but can cause graft failure. However, in spite of recurrence, patient and graft survival rates are similar in patients with small vessel vasculitis compared with those with other renal diseases. Many secondary forms of GN no longer represent a potential contraindication to renal transplantation. The main issues in transplantation of patients with secondary GN are the infectious, cardiovascular, or hepatic complications associated with the original disease or its treatment.

Prevalence evolution and impact of cardiovascular risk factors on allograft and renal transplant patient survival

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplantation is high. Studying the evolution of cardiovascular risk factors over time may help us to design better strategies to control them. The relative impact of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on allograft survival and mortality in transplant recipients is not clear. This study was performed to determine the incidence and risk factors for allograft survival and mortality among renal transplant patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 250 patients who had undergone transplantation between 1980 and 2004. They were followed for various periods, and we analyzed the impact of traditional and nontraditional risk factors on renal allograft survival.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypertension was >80% during all the follow-up periods. Blood pressure diminished, antihypertensive drug prescription increased, and 15% of patients had adequate blood pressure control during follow-up. The prevalence of pretransplant diabetes mellitus was 6.8%; the incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) was 14.2%. The prevalence of PTDM increased over the course of patient evolution. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was in all cases >70%; total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol decreased; prescription of statins increased; and the percentage of patients with good lipid control also increased. The 25% prevalence of active smoking at the time of transplantation decreased to 13.6% at 10 years posttransplantation. The mean patient follow-up was 8 +/- 4.6 years. Sixty-five patients (26%) lost their grafts and 40 (16%) died during follow-up. Donor age, exercise, diastolic blood pressure, renal function, and albumin levels were independent risk factors for graft loss. Charlson comorbidity index at transplantation, recipient and donor ages, exercise, diastolic blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol posttransplantation were independent risk factors for mortality among renal transplant recipients.

CONCLUSION

Blood pressure and lipid control improved during follow-up, however, insufficiently among renal transplant patients. The prevalence of diabetes gradually increased, and the incidence of smoking cessation was low. Diastolic blood pressure, exercise, and albuminemia were the most significant modifiable cardiovascular risk factors for renal allograft survival. Diastolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol level, and exercise were the most relevant modifiable cardiovascular risk factors for the survival of renal transplant patients.

No apparent impact of increased post-operative blood glucose levels on clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Our objective is to evaluate whether hyperglycemia in the first 48 h after renal transplantation is independently associated with rejection, post-operative infection and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in a retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patients who received a renal transplant in our hospital in 2003 or 2004 were included. Glucose values until 48 h after surgery were retrieved from laboratory reports. Biopsy proven acute rejection, culture proven infections and PTDM were scored until four months after transplantation. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and logistic multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

At least one post-operative glucose value could be retrieved for 150/151 patients. Rejection occurred in 46/150 (30.5%), infection in 47/150 (31.1%) and PTDM in 19/150 (12.6%) patients. When corrected for other risk factors, no relation was found between post-operative glucose levels and rejection (weak inverse relation, OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.65-1.03; p = 0.09), post-operative glucose and infections (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.80-1.21; p = 0.84) and post-operative glucose and PTDM (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.70-1.23; p = 0.63).

CONCLUSION

Increased post-operative blood glucose levels after renal transplantation were not found to be a risk factor for graft rejection. Also, post-operative glucose levels were not found to be associated with PTDM and post-operative infections.

Long-term graft and patient survival following renal transplantation in diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

To study long-term graft and patient survival following renal transplantation in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Over the time period 1985-99, 498 transplantations in 399 non-diabetic patients and 68 transplantations in 62 diabetic patients were performed. The groups were similar with respect to age and sex.

RESULTS

The patient survival rates (diabetic versus non-diabetic patients) were 88% vs 91% (p=NS) at 1 year, 68% vs 73% (p=NS) at 5 years and 31% vs 52% (p<0.05) at 10 years. The graft survival rates (diabetic versus non-diabetic patients) were 72% vs 72% at 1 year, 52% vs 52% at 5 years and 27% vs 33% (p=NS) at 10 years. In the diabetic patients, mean haemoglobin (Hb)A1c 2 years before and 2 years after the transplantation was 7.5+/-1.4 vs 8.2+/-1.6 mmol/l (p<0.05) and the mean blood pressure was 112+/-12 vs 107+/-9 mmHg (p<0.05). Of the diabetic patients, 55% were smokers. Among the diabetic patients, graft and patient survival were independent of smoking habits, blood pressure, HbA1c and total cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS

Graft survival was similar in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. For the first 5 years following renal transplantation, the patient survival rates in the two groups were similar. Thereafter, survival among diabetic patients was poor. Mean HbA1c was relatively high, especially after the transplantation, and this may have contributed to the more rapid progression of cardiovascular disease seen in diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a complex combination

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are two disease processes that remain with patients from diagnosis to the end of their lives. Both are destructive conditions that must be diagnosed early to prevent longer-term complications, such as retinopathy and neuropathy. Diabetes remains the single most important cause of kidney failure. Diabetes in hospital accounts for 10% of all admissions, but this figure is much higher within renal medicine with diabetes significantly increasing length of stay, with excess bed days suggested at 20%. Inpatient care is currently the largest single component of medical costs for diabetes, while diabetes costs 10% of the NHS budget. The number of patients with both diabetes and CKD are increasing, and to help slow down the progression to complications patients must receive education on how to control their diabetes. Training packages are designed to facilitate this educational process but the NHS needs to invest in refresher courses as the educational structure needs to support lifetime learning. It is vital from first referral that all patients lead in the decisions made about their health. Healthcare professionals have a duty of care to ensure patients are given clear, concise and accurate information in language they understand with the use of medical terminology and jargon limited. Patients must then be allowed to gather their thoughts and ask any further questions before supporting them in the choices that they make.

Diabetes as the cause of end-stage renal disease affects the pattern of post kidney transplant rehospitalizations

INTRODUCTION

Although there are reports that link diabetes-induced end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with several post renal transplantation complications and conditions, few studies have directly focused on this issue. This study compared the pattern of rehospitalizations after renal transplantation among diabetic versus nondiabetic ESRD patients, measuring causes, length of stay, outcomes and costs.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 366 randomly selected rehospitalization records of kidney transplant recipients between 1994 and 2006, including 69 who underwent renal transplantation due to diabetic nephropathy and 297, due to nondiabetic ESRD. We compared the two groups with respect to demographic and clinical variables: donor source, readmission pattern, rehospitalization cause, time interval between transplantation and hospitalization (T-H time), length of hospital stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital charges, and inpatient outcomes of graft loss and mortality.

RESULTS

The diabetes group, compared with nondiabetic group, had a greater mean age (53 +/- SD vs. 39 +/- SD years), proportion of admissions due to infections (44.9% vs. 32%) or renal dysfunction (14.5% vs. 29.6%), mean hospital charges ($5056 vs. $3046), and hospital mortality (18% vs. 4.3%; P<.05). Diabetic patients were readmitted sooner after transplantation than nondiabetic patients (11 vs. 18 months; P<.05). There was no difference between the groups with regard to gender, donor source, LOS, ICU admission, and graft loss.

CONCLUSION

The etiology of ESRD should be considered for scheduling post renal transplantation follow-up. Renal transplant recipients with diabetes-induced ESRD need further attention in follow-up programs.

Primary Kidney Disease and Post–Renal Transplantation Hospitalization Costs

BACKGROUND AND AIM

This study sought to assess posttransplantation hospitalizations costs in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects to see whether diabetes mellitus (DM) as a primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) increased posttransplantation hospitalization costs.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2005, the hospitalization costs of 387 consecutive rehospitalizations of kidney recipients were retrospectively compared for two groups: patients with ESRD due to DM (n=71) and those with ESRD of non-DM etiologies (n=316). The hospitalization costs included the costs of hotel, medications, surgical procedures, paraclinical tests, imaging tests, health personnel time, special services (ie, patient transportation by ambulance), and miscellaneous costs. Societal perspective was used with costs expressed in PPP$ purchase power parity dollars (PPP$) estimated to be equal to 272 Iranian rials.

RESULTS

Compared with the non-DM group, DM patients experienced significantly higher median costs both in total (1262 vs 870 PPP$, P=.001) and in cost components related to hotel (384 vs 215 PPP$, P=.001), health personnel time (235 vs 115 PPP$, P<.001), paraclinical tests (177 vs 149 PPP$, P=.012), and special services (100 vs 74 PPP$, P=.041). The mean of age was higher (P<.001), and the transplantation hospitalization time interval was also shorter in the DM group (median: 2.7 vs 12, P=.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering DM as a leading cause of ESRD and its increasing prevalence in some countries, the association between hospitalization costs of posttransplant patients and DM may be of great economic importance to many transplantation centers.

Hospitalization Databases: A Tool for Transplantation Monitoring

INTRODUCTION

We sought to account for changes in posttransplant hospitalization patterns in terms of the changes in demographic and transplantation-related variables.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We retrospectively analyzed 1860 cases of kidney transplantation performed between 1992 and 2004 in terms of demographic and transplantation-related variables. Of the 1860 cases, rehospitalization records in the first year posttransplantation were available for 1152 cases, which were assessed for causes of admission, mortality, graft loss, length of stay, and hospital charges.

RESULTS

The pattern of rehospitalizations showed the following trends: (1) Increased rate of infection; (2) Decreased rate of graft rejection; and (3) Peak costs of rehospitalization between 1999 and 2000.

CONCLUSION

We believed that the increased infection rate and decreased rejection rate may have been related at least partly to the shift in the treatment protocol from azathioprine-based to mycophenolate mofetil regimens in 2000. Furthermore, the peak in the relative frequency of diabetes mellitus and hypertension as the etiology of end-stage renal disease among those having undergone transplantation between 1999 and 2000 may have been responsible for the peak in rehospitalization costs and length of hospital stay. We are strongly of the opinion that hospital statistics are a valuable tool for health care policymakers to monitor transplantation outcomes.

Renal Transplantation in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and admission to hemodialysis, and the demand for kidney transplantation in this population has increased. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical aspects and survival of diabetic patients with kidney transplants by comparing them with the nondiabetic population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients transplanted during the period from 1994 to 2003 were evaluated for this study. The transplant and demographic characteristics were analyzed by the chi-square test and Student t test according to the type of variable. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to evaluate the graft and patient survival.

RESULTS

From a total of 523 consecutive renal transplants, 35 (6.6%) were diabetics who were older than nondiabetics (47 +/- 11 years vs 37 +/- 16, P < .002). Patients received immunosuppression with cyclosporine (84.3%), tacrolimus (11.2%), azathioprine (46.6%), mycophenolate mofetil (43.5%), and steroids (all patients). The diabetic patients had a higher percentage of living donors (33.5% vs 17.2%; P = .04). Graft survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 82.7%, 70.9%, and 63.0% in the diabetic patients and 87.6%, 79.0%, and 72.5% (P = .6) in the nondiabetic patients. Patient survival at 5 years was 90.5% in diabetic patients vs 89.0% in nondiabetic patients (P = .9).

CONCLUSIONS

No differences were found in our series in transplant complications or survival in the diabetic patients compared with the nondiabetic patients. Kidney transplants, even with living donors, must be offered to well-selected diabetic patients without reservations.