Criteria for and Appropriateness of Renal Transplantation in Elderly Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Literature Review and Position Statement on Behalf of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Descartes Working Group and European Renal Best Practice

Age Is Just a Number for Older Kidney Transplant Patients

The rise in the mean age of the global population has led to an increase in older kidney transplant (KT) patients. This demographic shift, coupled with the ongoing organ shortage, requires a nuanced understanding of which older adults are most suitable for KT. Recognizing the increased heterogeneity among older adults and the limitations of solely relying on chronological age, there is a need to explore alternative aging metrics beyond chronological age. In this review, we discuss the impact of older age on access to KT and postoperative outcomes. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation that extends beyond chronological age, we explore alternative aging metrics such as frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive function, underscoring their potential role in enhancing the KT evaluation process. Most importantly, we aim to contribute to the ongoing discourse, fostering an optimized approach to KT for the rapidly growing population of older adults.

Predictors of self-care in kidney transplant patients according to preoperative dialysis: A comparative study

Background

Preemptive kidney transplantation (PKT) is associated with reduced dialysis-related morbidity and improved graft survival, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of PKT. The distinct clinical pathways of PKT and non-preemptive kidney transplantation (NPKT) patients may affect their ability to perform self-care, a key factor in post-transplant recovery. However, there is ongoing controversy regarding which group demonstrates better self-care abilities, highlighting the need to explore the factors influencing self-care in each group.

Objectives

This study aims to identify and compare predictors of self-care in PKT and NPKT groups.

Methods

We collected data from 209 KT recipients, consisting of 101 PKT and 108 NPKT patients, using self-administered questionnaires. These questionnaires assessed general and disease-specific characteristics, stress, social support, and self-care behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis.

Results

The study identified significant predictors of self-care among both PKT and NPKT patients. For PKT patients, marital status (β = .19, p = .033) and family support (β = .28, p = .006) are key predictors of self-care, with those having spousal support and strong family networks reporting better self-care levels. Conversely, in NPKT patients, significant predictors of self-care included marital status (β = .31, p = .001), employment status (β = .29, p = .007), post-transplantation duration (less than 36 month) (β = -.22, p = .015), post-transplantation duration (36-72 month) (β = -.33, p = .001), and stress levels (β = -.20, p = .028).

Conclusions

The study provides valuable insights into the predictors of self-care based on preoperative dialysis status, illustrating distinct predictors between the growing population of PKT and NPKT patients. These findings emphasize the need for personalized nursing strategies to enhance post-transplant self-care, tailored to individual patient characteristics.

Current status and development trends in CKD with frailty research from 2000 to 2021: a bibliometric analysis

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gradually increasing in the elderly population. At the same time, frailty has become one of the research hotspots in the field of geriatrics. Bibliometric analyses help to understand the direction of a field. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the status and emerging trends of frailty in CKD patients.

DATA AND METHODS

The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was screened for relevant literature published between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2021. Next, publications were analyzed for information including authors, journals, cited references, citing journals, institutions, countries and regions, high-frequency keywords and co-citations using VOSviewer, Microsoft Excel, and R software.

RESULTS

A total of 2223 articles were obtained, from which 613 relevant articles were selected based on title and abstract screening. There was an upward trend in the number of annual publications and Johansen KL was considered the most contributing author in the field. The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology was the most productive research journal. Johns Hopkins University is the most published organization. The United States is the global leader in the field and contributes the most to research. Research hotspots focus on epidemiological studies of frailty and frailty intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CKD and frailty research. Key findings highlight the current focus on early screening and assessment of frailty in CKD patients, as well as physical function interventions in frail patients.

Association of Senescence Markers with Age and Allograft Rejection in Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. In the last decade, the number of older renal transplant recipients has significantly increased. However, these patients are at a higher risk of developing post-transplant complications. Therefore, identifying the suitable biomarkers to predict which older patients are at risk of complications is crucial. Cellular senescence could provide insights into the increased vulnerability in this population and guide personalized post-transplant care.

METHODS

This preliminary study involved biopsies from 25 patients with renal allograft rejection and 18 patients without rejection, further divided into older (50-65 years) and younger (29-40 years) groups. Biopsies were collected at different time points after transplantation, and rejection was classified according to the histological Banff 07 criteria. Additionally, immunohistochemistry for the markers of cellular senescence, p27kip1 and p16INK4a, was performed.

RESULTS

We observed that the number of p27kip1-positive glomeruli was higher in the older patients with rejection compared to the younger patients with rejection, and a similar pattern was found in the patients without rejection. However, the number of p27kip1-positive tubules was higher in the older patients with rejection compared to the younger patients with rejection, as well as compared to both the older and younger patients without rejection. Tubular p16INK4a expression was not significantly different in the older patients with rejection compared to the younger patients with rejection, and the same pattern was observed in the patients without rejection. However, it was increased in the older patients with rejection in comparison to the older patients without rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary data suggest the strong potential of both p16INK4a and p27kip1 as biomarkers of renal graft rejection, particularly in older renal transplant recipients.

Survival after kidney transplantation compared with ongoing dialysis for people over 70 years of age: A matched-pair analysis

Kidney transplantation offers improved survival and quality of life compared to dialysis for most recipients; however, benefits for elderly patients (>70 years) remain uncertain. Using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (2009-2019), elderly transplant recipients were matched to a waitlisted dialysis patient by age, cause of end-stage kidney disease, and dialysis duration (paired controls). We censored dialysis patients at the time of transplant. Survival was compared using stratified Cox regression. Elderly transplant recipients (KTRs) (n = 465) were matched to waitlisted pairs. Transplant group mortality initially exceeded dialysis due to excess infection-related deaths (1.9 transplant versus 0.3 dialysis/100 patient-years, P = .03). Beyond month 9, a progressive survival benefit in favor of transplantation was apparent. Over a median follow-up of 1.7 years, mortality was 38% lower for KTRs (95% confidence interval 0.41-0.94, P = .02), and 5-year survival was 80% KTRs vs 53% dialysis (P < .001). Recipients of living and standard criteria donor kidneys acquired immediate survival advantage compared with dialysis, while recipients of expanded criteria donor's kidneys experienced elevated risk of death for the first 17 months. Compared with remaining on dialysis, elderly KTRs incur an increased risk of early posttransplant mortality but thereafter may anticipate progressively superior survival rates.

Adaptation Process After Kidney Transplantation in Older Adult Recipients: Applied Grounded Theory

Despite the increase in older adults receiving kidney transplantation (KT), little is known about their experience and adaptation process after KT. The current study aimed to explore the process of adaptation after KT in older adult recipients using a qualitative design and grounded theory methodology. Sixteen recipients who had KT at age ≥60 years and received follow-up care were recruited at a university hospital in South Korea. Data were collected from July to December 2017 through in-depth interviews with individual participants. The core theme of the adaptation process after KT in older adult recipients was A Journey of Straining to Save the Last Lifeline. The adaptation process comprised three stages: confusion, depression, and compromise. Tailored interventions based on the in-depth understanding of the adaptation process found in the current study are needed to improve adaptation after KT in older adult recipients. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 16(4), 183-193.].

Distinct phenotypes of kidney transplant recipients aged 80 years or older in the USA by machine learning consensus clustering

Objectives

This study aimed to identify distinct clusters of very elderly kidney transplant recipients aged ≥80 and assess clinical outcomes among these unique clusters.

Design

Cohort study with machine learning (ML) consensus clustering approach.

Setting and participants

All very elderly (age ≥80 at time of transplant) kidney transplant recipients in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database database from 2010 to 2019.

Main outcome measures

Distinct clusters of very elderly kidney transplant recipients and their post-transplant outcomes including death-censored graft failure, overall mortality and acute allograft rejection among the assigned clusters.

Results

Consensus cluster analysis was performed in 419 very elderly kidney transplant and identified three distinct clusters that best represented the clinical characteristics of very elderly kidney transplant recipients. Recipients in cluster 1 received standard Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) non-extended criteria donor (ECD) kidneys from deceased donors. Recipients in cluster 2 received kidneys from older, hypertensive ECD deceased donors with a KDPI score ≥85%. Kidneys for cluster 2 patients had longer cold ischaemia time and the highest use of machine perfusion. Recipients in clusters 1 and 2 were more likely to be on dialysis at the time of transplant (88.3%, 89.4%). Recipients in cluster 3 were more likely to be preemptive (39%) or had a dialysis duration less than 1 year (24%). These recipients received living donor kidney transplants. Cluster 3 had the most favourable post-transplant outcomes. Compared with cluster 3, cluster 1 had comparable survival but higher death-censored graft failure, while cluster 2 had lower patient survival, higher death-censored graft failure and more acute rejection.

Conclusions

Our study used an unsupervised ML approach to cluster very elderly kidney transplant recipients into three clinically unique clusters with distinct post-transplant outcomes. These findings from an ML clustering approach provide additional understanding towards individualised medicine and opportunities to improve care for very elderly kidney transplant recipients.

Frailty and the psychosocial components of the edmonton frail scale are most associated with patient experience in older kidney transplant candidates - a secondary analysis within the kidney transplantation in older people (KTOP) study

Background

Older people with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are vulnerable to frailty, which impacts on clinical and experiential outcomes. With kidney transplantation in older people increasing, a better understanding of patient experiences is necessary for guiding decision making. The Kidney Transplantation in Older People (KTOP):impact of frailty on outcomes study aims to explore this. We present a secondary analysis of the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and its relationship with patient experience scores.

Methods

The KTOP study is a single centre, prospective study, which began in October 2019. All ESKD patients aged ≥60 considered for transplantation at Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre were eligible. Frailty was assessed using the EFS and 5 questionnaires assessed patient experience and quality of life (QoL) (Short Form-12(v2), Palliative Care Outcome Scale-Symptoms Renal, Depression Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, Renal Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire). The EFS was divided into 4 subdomains (psychosocial, physical function, medical status, and general health) and then compared with the questionnaire scores.

Results

210 patients have been recruited (aged 60-78), 186 of whom completed EFS assessments. 118 (63.4%) participants were not frail, 36 (19.4%) vulnerable, and 32 (17.2%) were frail. Worse frailty scores were associated with poorer patient experience and QoL scores across all questionnaires. Severe deficits in the EFS psychosocial subdomain showed a statistically significant association with higher depression screen scores (coefficient 4.9, 95% CI 3.22 to 6.59), lower physical (coefficient -4.35, 95% CI -7.59 to -1.12) and mental function scores (coefficient -8.33, 95% CI -11.77 to -4.88) from the Short Form-12(v2), and lower renal treatment satisfaction scores (coefficient -5.54, 95% CI -10.70 to -0.37). Deficits in the physical function and medical status EFS subdomians showed some association with patient experience scores.

Conclusion

In the KTOP study cohort at recruitment vulnerable and frail candidates reported worse QoL and patient experiences. Severe deficits in the psychosocial subdomains of the EFS showed a strong association with patient experience and QoL, whilst physical function and medical status deficits showed a lesser association. This has highlighted specific EFS domains that may be suitable for targeted interventions to improve experiences and optimise outcomes.

What does the French REIN registry tell us about Stage 4-5 CKD care in older adults?

The aim of this paper is to illustrate all the clinical epidemiology searches made within the French network REIN to improve CKD stage 4-5 care in older adults. We summarize various studies describing clinical practice, care organization, prognosis and health economics evaluation in order to develop personalized care plans and decision-making tools. In France, for 20 years now, various databases have been mobilized including the national REIN registry which includes all patients receiving dialysis or transplantation. REIN data are indirectly linked to the French administrative healthcare database. They are also pooled with data from the PSPA cohort, a multicenter prospective cohort study of patients aged 75 or over with advanced CKD, monitored for 5 years, and the CKD-REIN clinical-based prospective cohort which included 3033 patients with CKD stage 3-4 from 2013 to 2016. During our various research work, we identified heterogeneous trajectories specific to this growing older population, raising ethical, organizational and economic issues. Renal registries will help clinicians, health providers and policy-makers if suitable decision- making tools are developed and validated.

Living Donor Kidney Transplantation in Older Individuals: An Ethical Legal and Psychological Aspects of Transplantation (ELPAT) View

Living donor transplantation is the optimal treatment for suitable patients with end-stage kidney disease. There are particular advantages for older individuals in terms of elective surgery, timely transplantation, and early graft function. Yet, despite the superiority of living donor transplantation especially for this cohort, older patients are significantly less likely to access this treatment modality than younger age groups. However, given the changing population demographic in recent decades, there are increasing numbers of older but otherwise healthy individuals with kidney disease who could benefit from living donor transplantation. The complex reasons for this inequity of access are explored, including conscious and unconscious age-related bias by healthcare professionals, concerns relating to older living donors, ethical anxieties related to younger adults donating to aging patients, unwillingness of potential older recipients to consider living donation, and the relevant legislation. There is a legal and moral duty to consider the inequity of access to living donor transplantation, recognising both the potential disparity between chronological and physiological age in older patients, and benefits of this treatment for individuals as well as society.

Utility of geriatric assessments in evaluation of older adults for kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND

While kidney transplantation has favorable outcomes in patients aged 65 years and older, many are not referred for evaluation despite having no contraindications. We wanted to determine whether incorporating geriatrics and geriatric assessments (GA), as part of kidney transplant evaluation at the University of Chicago Medicine, would help identify suitable candidates and improve transplantation outcomes among older adults.

METHODS

Between 2012 and 2016, as part of their multi-disciplinary transplant evaluation, 171 patients underwent an initial GA with the study geriatrician, who rated them on a five-point scale from "poor" to "excellent," and presented their cases to multidisciplinary transplant review meetings. Patients were followed until June 1st, 2021. Predictor variables included geriatric recommendation, clinical characteristics, and demographics. Outcomes of interest were mortality, receipt of transplant, and waitlist placement.

RESULTS

Compared to patients rated "poor," "marginal," or "fair," we found that patients that the geriatrician recommended as "good" or "excellent" were more likely to be waitlisted and receive a transplant. Favorably rated patients were also less likely to be removed from the waitlist due to becoming medically unfit, meaning worsening medical morbidity, frailty, and cognitive status.

CONCLUSION

Including geriatricians to perform GAs as part of the transplant evaluation process can help identify suitable elderly candidates.

Older Age is Associated With Lower Utilization of Living Donor Kidney Transplant

Introduction

Older adults (65 years or older) constitute a substantial and increasing proportion of patients with kidney failure, potentially needing kidney replacement therapy. Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) offers superior outcomes for suitable patients of all ages. However, exploring LDKT and finding a living donor could be challenging for older adults. Here, we assessed the association between age and utilization of LDKT and assessed effect modification of key variables such as ethnicity and language.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with kidney failure referred for kidney transplant (KT) assessment in Toronto between January 2006 and December 2013. The association between age and having a potential living donor identified was assessed using logistic regression and the association between age and the receipt of LDKT was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Of the 1617 participants, 50% were middle-aged (45-64 years old), and 17% were ≥65 years old. In our final multivariable adjusted models, compared to young adults, middle-aged and older adults had lower odds of having a potential living donor identified (odds ratio [OR], 0.47; confidence interval [CI], [0.35-0.63]; OR, 0.30; CI, [0.20-0.43]; P < 0.001, for middle-aged and older adults, respectively), and were less likely to receive LDKT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; CI, [0.63-0.99]; P = 0.04; HR, 0.47; CI, [0.30-0.72]; P = 0.001, for middle-aged and older adults, respectively.).

Conclusion

Age is an independent predictor of receiving LDKT. Considering that nearly 90% of patients with kidney failure in Canada are >45 years of age, these results point to important and potentially modifiable age-related barriers to LDKT.

Exploring Transplant Medication-Taking Behaviours in Older Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Qualitative Study of Semi-Structured Interviews

Background

Today, older adult patients routinely undergo kidney transplantation. To support graft survival, patients must take immunosuppressant medicines for the rest of their lives. The post-transplant medication regimen is complex, and barriers to medication taking are likely confounded by both functional and intrinsic changes associated with advancing age. To develop diverse and innovative approaches to support best health outcomes in this vulnerable age group, it is imperative that the degree to which patients’ needs are currently being met, be identified.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine medication-taking behaviours of kidney transplant recipients transplanted at 60 years of age or older.

Methods

This qualitative study used semi-structured patient interviews to explore how kidney transplant recipients currently manage their immunosuppressant regimen and how they cope after transplantation with the complex routine. Data were themed using the principles of Grounded Theory methodology; with interviews conducted until data saturation was reached.

Results

Quantitative information was collected from 14 participants who ranged in age from 66 to 77 years (at time of interview), and were prescribed a median of 13 (min: 10, max: 26) medicines. The main themes that emerged from the interview were variability in health literacy toward medicines, the importance of support networks, the need to adjust health expectations, factors that were motivators for self-care, different approaches to medication management, and different approaches to medication taking. Overall, it was found that patients prioritised medication taking above all else, and gratitude to their donor was a powerful motivator to adhere. However, strategies to support medication taking were sometimes ineffective when patients’ routine changed.

Conclusions

Future interventions should consider approaches to foster adaptable medication taking behaviours that stand up to changes in the day-to-day routine.

Medication taking is complicated in transplant recipients, due to the number of medicines that need to be taken and the complex nature of the treatment regimen. Challenges in older transplant recipients may be more pronounced and varied compared with younger adults. There are multiple factors that may impact medication taking in older adults and each requires consideration, including level of dependence, living arrangements, level of mobility and manual dexterity, vision and memory, and social situation. To better identify the gaps in support, patients’ current perspectives around medication taking and how they cope after transplantation must be explored. Therefore, this study aimed to identify how older adult transplant recipients currently manage their anti-rejection medicine regimen. Participants described several strategies around how they manage a complex medication regimen. These included cues such as an alarm and linking the time they should take their medication to already established habits such as eating meals. Most participants discussed at length their relationships, and it seems that these relationships are often crucial to post-transplant positivity. Additionally, extreme gratitude to the donor, relative improvement in their life quality (compared with the rapid deterioration in their health when on dialysis), and fear of consequences (particularly graft failure) were important facilitators of self-care and served as timely reminders to prioritise one’s own health. To foster more robust medication-taking habits, future education needs to be tailored to each individual patient and include details about how to link medication taking to already established routines (coined ‘habit stacking’).

Prevalence of frailty and cognitive impairment in older transplant candidates - a preview to the Kidney Transplantation in Older People (KTOP): impact of frailty on outcomes study

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation in older people has increased, however older transplant recipients experience mixed outcomes that invariably impacts on their quality of life. The increased vulnerability of older end stage kidney disease patients to frailty and cognitive impairment, may partially explain the differences in outcomes observed. The Kidney Transplantation in Older People (KTOP): impact of frailty on clinical outcomes study is an active clinical study aiming to explore the experience of older people waiting for and undergoing transplantation. In this manuscript we present the study protocol, the study cohort, and the prevalence of frailty and cognitive impairment identified at recruitment.

METHODS

The KTOP study is a single centre, prospective, mixed methods, observational study. Recruitment began in October 2019. All patients aged 60 or above either active on the deceased donor waitlist or undergoing live donor transplantation were eligible for recruitment. Recruited participants completed a series of questionnaires assessing frailty, cognition, and quality of life, which are repeated at defined time points whilst on the waitlist and post-transplant. Clinical data was concurrently collected. Any participants identified as frail or vulnerable were also eligible for enrolment into the qualitative sub-study.

RESULTS

Two hundred eight participants have been recruited (age 60-78). Baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessments were available for 173 participants, with 63 (36.4%) participants identified as having scores below normal (score < 26). Edmonton Frail Scale assessments were available for 184 participants, with 29 participants (15.8%) identified as frail (score ≥ 8), and a further 37 participants (20.1%) identified as being vulnerable (score 6-7).

CONCLUSION

In the KTOP study cohort we have identified a prevalence of 36.4% of participants with MoCA scores suggestive of cognitive impairment, and a prevalence of frailty of 15.8% at recruitment. A further 20.1% were vulnerable. As formal testing for cognition and frailty is not routinely incorporated into the work up of older people across many units, the presence and significance of these conditions is likely not known. Ultimately the KTOP study will report on how these parameters evolve over time and following a transplant, and describe their impact on quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Defining the ethical considerations surrounding kidney transplantation for frail and cognitively impaired patients: a Delphi study of geriatric transplant experts

BACKGROUND

Among adult kidney transplant (KT) candidates, 21% are frail and 55% have cognitive impairment, increasing the risk of pre- and post-KT mortality. Centers often assess frailty status and cognitive function during transplant evaluation to help identify appropriate candidate. Yet, there are no ethical guidelines regarding the use of frailty and cognitive function during this evaluation. We seek to develop a clinical consensus on balancing utility and justice in access to KT for frail and cognitively impaired patients.

METHODS

Twenty-seven experts caring for ESRD patients completed a two-round Delphi panel designed to facilitate consensus (> 80% agreement).

RESULTS

Experts believed that denying patients transplantation based solely on expected patient survival was inequitable to frail or cognitively impaired candidates; 100% agreed that frailty and cognitive impairment are important factors to consider during KT evaluation. There was consensus that health related quality of life and social support are important to consider before waitlisting frail or cognitively impaired patients. Experts identified important factors to consider before waitlisting frail (likely to benefit from KT, frailty reversibility, age, and medical contraindications) and cognitively impaired (degree of impairment and medication adherence) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical experts believed it was ethically unacceptable to allocate organs solely based on patients' expected survival; frailty and cognitive impairment should be measured at evaluation when weighed against other clinical factors. Ethical guidelines regarding the use of frailty and cognitive function during KT evaluation ought to be developed.

A Comorbidity Index and Pretransplant Physical Status Predict Survival in Older Kidney Transplant Recipients: A National Prospective Study

Kidney transplantation (KT) is considered the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In the increasing elderly ESKD population, KT should be reserved for carefully selected candidates who are expected to experience favorable outcomes. We aimed to prospectively evaluate pretransplant recipient factors that may predict patient survival and can eventually guide therapeutic decisions in elderly with ESKD.

Age at Time of Kidney Transplantation as a Predictor for Mortality, Graft Loss and Self-Rated Health Status: Results From the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study

Introduction: The effect of age on health outcomes in kidney transplantation remains inconclusive. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between age at time of kidney transplantation with mortality, graft loss and self-rated health status in adult kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: This study used data from the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study and included prospective data of kidney transplant recipients between 2008 and 2017. Time-to-event analysis was performed using Cox’ regression analysis, and -in the case of graft loss- competing risk analysis. A random-intercept regression model was applied to analyse self-rated health status.

Results: We included 2,366 kidney transplant recipients. Age at transplantation linearly predicted mortality. It was also predictive for graft loss, though nonlinearly, showing that recipients aged between 35 and 55 years presented with the lowest risk of experiencing graft loss. No relationship of age with self-rated health status was detected.

Conclusion: Higher mortality in older recipients complies with data from the general population. The non-linear relationship between age and graft loss and the higher scored self-rated health status at all follow-up time-points compared to the pre-transplant status -regardless of age- highlight that age alone might not be an accurate measure for risk prediction and clinical decision making in kidney transplantation.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Kidney Transplant Recipients: A National Cohort Study of Short- and Longer-Term Outcomes

Rationale & Objective

Assessing the optimal therapy for older patients (aged ≥65 years) with end-stage kidney disease requires knowledge of longevity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. Kidney transplantation prolongs survival but its long-term impact on HRQoL in older recipients is not well defined. We aimed to prospectively evaluate HRQoL changes from enlisting until 3 years posttransplantation and examine pretransplantation predictors of posttransplantation outcomes.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting & Participants

Patients 65 years and older enlisted at the Norwegian National Transplant Center between January 2013 and November 2016.

Predictors

Kidney transplantation, dialysis vintage, and pretransplantation comorbidity assessed using the Liu Comorbidity Index.

Outcomes

HRQoL, assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form, version 1.3.

Analytical Approach

HRQoL scores obtained at 3 years posttransplantation were compared with those obtained pretransplantation and after 1 year using a paired-sample t test. Multivariable linear mixed-effect models were used to identify possible predictors of HRQoL changes over time.

Results

Among 289 patients included, 220 (mean age, 71.5 years) had undergone transplantation and 136 had completed the 3-year HRQoL follow-up by October 2020. Posttransplant HRQoL, both generic and kidney specific, substantially improved and the benefit persisted for 3 years. For wait-listed candidates remaining on dialysis, HRQoL gradually deteriorated, and recipients who died within 3 years posttransplantation experienced no improvement during the first year. Moderately elevated pretransplantation comorbidity scores and prolonged dialysis vintage independently predicted poor HRQoL outcomes posttransplantation. Recipients receiving dialysis for 1 year or longer with pretransplantation comorbidity scores ≥ 7 experienced a marked and sustained physical deterioration after transplantation.

Limitations

Homogenous and highly selected population.

Conclusions

Transplantation is associated with a sustained HRQoL improvement and should be the preferred treatment for selected older patients. The value of a pretransplant comorbidity score to predict posttransplantation outcomes warrants further evaluation and may improve the selection process.

Early outcomes and long-term survival after kidney transplantation in elderly versus younger recipients from the same donor in a matched-pairs analysis

The elderly are the fastest-growing population on waiting lists for kidney transplantation (KTx). Recognized barriers to KTx in the elderly is early post-transplant mortality and morbidity. To analyze the outcomes of KTx in recipients older than 60 years and, simultaneously, in their younger paired recipients, receiving a graft from the same donor.We included 328 kidney transplant recipients in the study. The elderly kidney transplant recipients (EKT) group included 164 patients aged 65 standard deviation (SD4) years. They were paired with younger kidney transplant recipients (YKT) aged 45 (SD12) years.The studied groups (EKT vs YKT) did not differ from the graft function estimated 1 year after the transplantation (50.7 mL/min vs 54.0 mL/min), while the estimated glomerular filtration rate decline was significantly faster in the YKT group. One-year patient survival (93.9% vs 97.0%), 1-year graft survival (90.4% vs 82.3%), and incidences of delayed graft function and acute rejection did not differ between the EKT and YKT groups. Significantly more cardiovascular complications and post-transplant diabetes mellitus were noticed in the EKT group. The long-term patient and graft survivals were poorer in the EKT group versus the YKT group, but death-censored graft survivals were the same. After having excluded donor-derived graft factors, there were no differences in the first-year outcome of KTx between recipients younger and older than 60 years. As life expectancy is lower in the EKT group, the probability of patient and graft survival was also significantly lower in this group. However, death-censored graft survival was not different in the EKT and YKT groups.

Drug-related problems in older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease identified during pretransplant comprehensive geriatric assessment

BACKGROUND

Older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease may be exposed to a higher risk of adverse drug events due to chronic kidney disease and aging. The integration of clinical pharmacist into pretransplant comprehensive geriatric assessment is an opportunity to perform medication optimization.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to describe drug-related problems in older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

Observational study was conducted with retrospective data from July 2017 to April 2019. Patients≥65 years with advanced chronic kidney disease, referred by nephrologists for pretransplant comprehensive geriatric assessment were included. During medication optimization, the pharmacist evaluated the appropriateness of each medication prescribed and identified drug-related problems. Any drug-related problem identified lead to a pharmaceutical intervention.

RESULTS

In total, 103 patients were included (74.5±2.9 years, 26.2% female, 47.6% on dialysis). Overall, 394 drug-related problems were identified in 93.2% of patients (3.8±2.4 drug-related problems per patient) during the medication optimization. Cardiovascular medications (25.1%), antithrombotics (13.5%) and drugs for peptic ulcer and reflux disease (10.2%) were the most involved drugs in drug-related problems. Drug-related problems mainly concerned drugs without indication (27.1%), inappropriate method of administration (24.4%) and non-conformity to guidelines (20.1%).

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of drug-related problems in older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease was identified during medication optimization. The systematic integration of a clinical pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team performing pretransplant comprehensive geriatric assessment may be relevant to detect inappropriate prescriptions and to prevent from adverse drug events.

Practice Patterns in the Acceptance of Medically Complex Living Kidney Donors with Obesity, Hypertension, Family History of Kidney Disease, or Donor-Recipient Age Discrepancy

Background  To assess the practice patterns of the acceptance of medically complex living kidney donors (MCLKDs). Methods  We distributed a survey to nephrologists and transplant surgeons (TS) across the world through major international transplant societies. The survey contained questions regarding obesity, abnormal blood glucose profile, mild hypertension, donor-recipient age discrepancy, or family history of kidney disease of unknown etiology. Results  In total, 239 respondents from 29 countries (42% were nephrologists and 58% were TS). Most respondents would allow donations from obese donors, especially if they intended to lose weight but would be cautious if these donors had abnormal blood glucose or family history of diabetes mellitus. In hypertensive donors, future pregnancy plans mattered in decisions regarding the acceptance of female donors. Most respondents would allow young donors but would be more cautious if they had a future risk of hypertension or a family history of kidney disease of unknown etiology. They would also allow donations from an older person if prolonged waiting time was anticipated. We found multiple areas of consensus of practice among the diverse members of international transplant societies, with some interesting variations among nephrologists and TS. Conclusions  This survey highlights the practice patterns of the acceptance of MCLKDs among the international community. In the absence of clear guidelines, this survey provides additional information to counsel kidney donors with these conditions.

Immunosenescence as a reason of individualizing immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplantation

Transplantation in elderly patients is obviously more challenging due to existing underlying diseases, changes in pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressive drugs, polypragmasy, and transformation of immunoreactivity (immunosenescence). Our review presents data on modification of adaptive and innate immunity during aging. It also considers the possibility of both reduced and adapted immunosuppressive therapy in elderly renal transplant recipients in achieving an optimal balance between efficacy and complications.

Patient and Graft Survival After Dual Kidney Transplantation With Marginal Donors in Comparison to Matched Control Groups

BACKGROUND

Postmortal organ donor rates remain low in Germany, whereas donor age has been increasing considerably in the last decades. As a consequence of low donation rates older and more marginal donor kidneys are accepted for transplantation. However, procured kidneys from very old a/o marginal donors may be considered as not suitable for transplantation as a single organ and subsequently be discarded. However, dual transplantation of both kidneys from such donors may provide an opportunity to nevertheless use these organs for renal transplantation, thereby providing the twofold nephron mass as a single kidney transplantation.

METHODS

We compared in this retrospective analysis the outcome of 10 recipients of a dual kidney transplantation (DKT) with 40 matched recipients of a single kidney transplantation (SKT). Recipients were matched for donor and recipient age (ie, a maximum age difference of ±10 years in a ratio of 1:4 for DKT vs SKT recipients). In addition, a second SKT control group of 10 SKT recipients being transplanted immediately before each DKT recipient with a kidney from a donor aged ≥65 years was used for comparison. All renal transplant recipients were observed for up to 3 years or until July 31, 2020.

RESULTS

Mean donor and recipient age was 77.2 ± 4.6/75.1 ± 6.6/82.1 ± 7.9 and 66.4 ± 5.8/66.1 ± 6.0/64.8 ± 8.4 for SKT group 1/SKT group 2/DKT, respectively. Procurement serum creatinine concentrations were significantly higher in the DKT group in comparison to the SKT control group 1 (P = .019) as was the rate of transplant artery atherosclerosis (P = .021). Furthermore, Kidney Donor Profile Index, and Kidney Donor Risk Index were significantly higher (P = .0138/P = .064, and P < .001/P = .038) in the DKT group than in SKT group 1 and 2. Rates of acute rejection and delayed graft function were not significantly different between groups, though biopsy-proven acute rejection was numerically higher in the SKT groups. Patient survival and overall and death-censored graft survival rates were also not significantly different between groups, although they tended to be higher after DKT.

CONCLUSIONS

DKT provides an opportunity to successfully use postmortal kidneys even from donors aged >80 years and a Kidney Donor Profile Index ≥95% for renal transplantation. DKT may thereby increase the available pool of donors to better serve patients with end-stage renal disease on the waiting list.

Observational study of risk factors associated with clinical outcome among elderly kidney transplant recipients in Sweden - a decade of follow-up

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (Ktx) in elderly has become increasingly accepted worldwide despite their higher burden of comorbidities. We investigated important risk factors affecting long-term patient and graft survival.

METHODS

We included all (n=747) Ktx patients >60 years from 2000 to 2012 in Sweden. Patients were age-stratified; 60-64, 65-69 and >70 years. Follow-up time was up to 10 years (median 7.9 years, 75% percentile >10 years). Primary outcome was 10-year patient survival in age-stratified groups. Secondary outcomes were 5- year patient and graft-survival in age-stratified groups and the impact of risk factors including Charlson comorbidity index on patient and graft-survival.

RESULTS

Mortality was higher in patients >70 years, after 10 years (HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.24-3.04; p=0.004). Males had a higher 10-year risk of death (HR 1.39; CI 95% 1.04-1.86; p=0.024). Five-year patient survival did not differ between age-groups. In multivariate Cox analysis (n=500) hazard ratio for 10-year mortality was 4.6 in patients with Charlson comorbidity index ≥7 vs <4 (95% CI 2.42-8.62; p=0.0001) CONCLUSION: Higher Charlson comorbidity index identified ESKD patients with 4.6 times higher risk of death after Ktx. We suggest that this index should be used as a part of the pre-operative evaluation in elderly.

Pretransplant Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND

In older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), the decision of kidney transplantation (KT) is a challenge for nephrologists. The use of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is increasingly gaining interest into the process of decision-making about treatment modality choice for CKD. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of geriatric impairment and frailty in older dialysis and nondialysis patients with advanced CKD using a pretransplant CGA model and to identify geriatric impairments influencing the geriatricians' recommendations for KT.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted with retrospective data from July 2017 to January 2020. Patients aged ≥65 years with advanced CKD, treated or not with dialysis, and referred by the nephrologist were included in the study. The CGA assessed comorbidity burden, cognition, mood, nutritional status, (instrumental) activities of daily living, physical function, frailty, and polypharmacy. Geriatric impairments influencing the geriatricians' recommendations for KT were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

156 patients were included (74.2 ± 3.5 years and 62.2% on dialysis). Geriatric conditions were highly prevalent in both dialysis and nondialysis groups. The rate of geriatric impairments was higher in dialysis patients regarding comorbidity burden, symptoms of depression, physical function, autonomy, and frailty. Geriatrician's recommendations for KT were as follows: favorable (79.5%) versus not favorable or multidisciplinary discussion needed with nephrologists (20.5%). Dependence for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) (odds ratio [OR] = 3.01 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-7.31), physical functions (OR = 2.91 and 95% CI = 1.08-7.87), and frailty (OR = 2.66 and 95% CI = 1.07-6.65) were found to be independent geriatric impairments influencing geriatrician's recommendations for KT.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the burden of geriatric impairment provides an opportunity to direct KT decision-making and to guide interventions to prevent functional decline and preserve quality of life.

Immunosuppression Considerations for Older Kidney Transplant Recipients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

While kidney transplantation improves the long-term survival of the majority of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), age-related immune dysfunction and associated comorbidities make older transplant recipients more susceptible to complications related to immunosuppression. In this review, we discuss appropriate management of immunosuppressive agents in older adults to minimize adverse events, avoid acute rejection, and maximize patient and graft survival.

RECENT FINDINGS

Physiological changes associated with senescence can impact drug metabolism and increase the risk of posttransplant infection and malignancy. Clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of immunosuppressive agents in older adults are lacking. Recent findings from U.S. transplant registry-based studies suggest that risk-adjusted death-censored graft failure is higher among older patients who received antimetabolite avoidance, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi)-based, and cyclosporine-based regimens. Observational data suggest that risk-adjusted mortality may be increased in older patients who receive mTORi-based and cyclosporine-based regimens but lower in those managed with T-cell induction and maintenance steroid avoidance/withdrawal.

SUMMARY

Tailored immunosuppression management to improve patient and graft survival in older transplant recipients is an important goal of personalized medicine. Lower intensity immunosuppression, such as steroid-sparing regimens, appear beneficial whereas mTORi- and cyclosporine-based maintenance are associated with greater potential for adverse effects. Prospective clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of immunosuppression agents in older recipients are urgently needed.

Prevalence of Frailty in Patients Referred to the Kidney Transplant Waitlist

Background

Comparisons between frailty assessment tools for waitlist candidates are a recognized priority area for kidney transplantation. We compared the prevalence of frailty using three established tools in a cohort of waitlist candidates.

Methods

Waitlist candidates were prospectively enrolled from 2016 to 2020 across five centers. Frailty was measured using the Frailty Phenotype (FP), a 37-variable frailty index (FI), and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). The FI and CFS were dichotomized using established cutoffs. Agreement was compared using κ coefficients. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the FI and CFS (treated as continuous measures) with the FP. Unadjusted associations between each frailty measure and time to death or waitlist withdrawal were determined using an unadjusted Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Of 542 enrolled patients, 64% were male, 80% were White, and the mean age was 54±14 years. The prevalence of frailty by the FP was 16%. The mean FI score was 0.23±0.14, and the prevalence of frailty was 38% (score of ≥0.25). The median CFS score was three (IQR, 2-3), and the prevalence was 15% (score of ≥4). The κ values comparing the FP with the FI (0.44) and CFS (0.27) showed fair to moderate agreement. The area under the ROC curves for the FP and FI/CFS were 0.86 (good) and 0.69 (poor), respectively. Frailty by the CFS (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.24) and FI (HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.00 to 3.21) was associated with death or permanent withdrawal. The association between frailty by the FP and death/withdrawal was not statistically significant (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.79 to 3.71).

Conclusion

Frailty prevalence varies by the measurement tool used, and agreement between these measurements is fair to moderate. This has implications for determining the optimal frailty screening tool for use in those being evaluated for kidney transplant.

Patient-reported factors influencing the choice of their kidney replacement treatment modality

Background

Access to various kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modalities for patients with end-stage kidney disease differs substantially within Europe.

Methods

European adults on KRT filled out an online or paper-based survey about factors influencing and experiences with modality choice (e.g. information provision, decision-making and reasons for choice) between November 2017 and January 2019. We compared countries with low, middle and high gross domestic product (GDP).

Results

In total, 7820 patients [mean age 59 years, 56% male, 63% on centre haemodialysis (CHD)] from 38 countries participated. Twenty-five percent had received no information on the different modalities, and only 23% received information >12 months before KRT initiation. Patients were not informed about home haemodialysis (HHD) (42%) and comprehensive conservative management (33%). Besides nephrologists, nurses more frequently provided information in high-GDP countries, whereas physicians other than nephrologists did so in low-GDP countries. Patients from low-GDP countries reported later information provision, less information about other modalities than CHD and lower satisfaction with information. The majority of modality decisions were made involving both patient and nephrologist. Patients reported subjective (e.g. quality of life and fears) and objective reasons (e.g. costs and availability of treatments) for modality choice. Patients had good experiences with all modalities, but experiences were better for HHD and kidney transplantation and in middle- and high-GDP countries.

Conclusion

Our results suggest European differences in patient-reported factors influencing KRT modality choice, possibly caused by disparities in availability of KRT modalities, different healthcare systems and varying patient preferences. Availability of home dialysis and kidney transplantation should be optimized.

Impact of kidney transplant morbidity on elderly recipients' outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nowadays, advanced age does not represent an absolute contraindication to kidney transplantation (KT). However, aging is frequently associated with multiple comorbidities and lower performance status, making KT candidates less surgically fit. Limited data are available on the impact of KT morbidity on elderly recipients' outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective study on a single center cohort of 130 KT recipients over 65 years old, representing 16.2% of KT clinical series, during the period 2000-2018. Number and severity of comorbidities were evaluated with the Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI).

RESULTS

The median age at transplantation was 67 [IQR66-71] years and median CCI was 5 [IQR4-6]. The prevalence of postoperative complications with a Clavien-Dindo (C-D) severity score > 2 was 29%. Increasing age did not predict KT morbidity in terms of C-D score > 2, infectious, respiratory, cardiologic, urologic or vascular complications, delayed graft function, symptomatic lymphocele, bleeding, acute or chronic rejection. Conversely, CCI score was a predictor of overall complications with C-D score > 2, cardiologic, respiratory and vascular complications, and bleeding. Among others, CCI score, post-KT cardiologic complications, C-D score > 2 were identified as significant predictors of both early mortality and graft loss in univariate analysis. Increasing recipient age did not correlate with graft loss risk and graft loss did not impact patient survival. C-D score > 2 was a predictor of poor survival even in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly recipients showed a significant vulnerability to KT morbidity which correlates with CCI. While graft loss did not impact recipient survival, severe postoperative complications (C-D > 2) were independently associated increased mortality.

KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation

The 2020 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation is intended to assist health care professionals worldwide who evaluate and manage potential candidates for deceased or living donor kidney transplantation. This guideline addresses general candidacy issues such as access to transplantation, patient demographic and health status factors, and immunological and psychosocial assessment. The roles of various risk factors and comorbid conditions governing an individual's suitability for transplantation such as adherence, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, perioperative issues, causes of kidney failure, infections, malignancy, pulmonary disease, cardiac and peripheral arterial disease, neurologic disease, gastrointestinal and liver disease, hematologic disease, and bone and mineral disorder are also addressed. This guideline provides recommendations for evaluation of individual aspects of a candidate's profile such that each risk factor and comorbidity are considered separately. The goal is to assist the clinical team to assimilate all data relevant to an individual, consider this within their local health context, and make an overall judgment on candidacy for transplantation. The guideline development process followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Guideline recommendations are primarily based on systematic reviews of relevant studies and our assessment of the quality of that evidence, and the strengths of recommendations are provided. Limitations of the evidence are discussed with differences from previous guidelines noted and suggestions for future research are also provided.

Egyptian clinical practice guideline for kidney transplantation

Objective: To present the first Egyptian clinical practice guideline for kidney transplantation (KT).

Methods: A panel of multidisciplinary subspecialties related to KT prepared this document. The sources of information included updates of six international guidelines, and review of several relevant international and Egyptian publications. All statements were graded according to the strength of clinical practice recommendation and the level of evidence. All recommendations were discussed by the panel members who represented most of the licensed Egyptian centres practicing KT.

Results: Recommendations were given on preparation, surgical techniques and surgical complications of both donors and recipients. A special emphasis was made on the recipient’s journey with immunosuppression. It starts with setting the scene by covering the donor and recipient evaluations, medicolegal requirements, recipient’s protective vaccines, and risk assessment. It spans desensitisation and induction strategies to surgical approach and potential complications, options of maintenance immunosuppression, updated treatment of acute rejection and chemoprophylactic protocols. It ends with monitoring for potential complications of the recipient’s suppressed immunity and the short- and long-term complications of immunosuppressive drugs. It highlights the importance of individualisation of immunosuppression strategies consistent with pre-KT risk assessment. It emphasises the all-important role of anti-human leucocyte antigen antibodies, particularly the donor-specific antibodies (DSAs), in acute and chronic rejection, and eventual graft and patient survival. It addresses the place of DSAs across the recipient’s journey with his/her gift of life.

Conclusion: This guideline introduces the first proposed standard of good clinical practice in the field of KT in Egypt.

Abbreviations: Ab: antibody; ABMR: Ab-mediated rejection; ABO: ABO blood groups; BKV: BK polyomavirus; BMI: body mass index; BTS: British Transplantation Society; CAN: chronic allograft nephropathy; CDC: complement-dependent cytotoxicity; CKD: chronic kidney disease; CMV: cytomegalovirus; CNI: calcineurin inhibitor; CPRA: Calculated Panel Reactive Antibodies; (dn)DSA: (de novo) donor-specific antibodies; ECG: electrocardiogram; ESWL: extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy; FCM: flow cytometry; GBM: glomerular basement membrane; GN: glomerulonephritis; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; HLA: human leucocyte antigen; HPV: human papilloma virus; IL2-RA: interleukin-2 receptor antagonist; IVIg: intravenous immunoglobulin; KT(C)(R): kidney transplantation/transplant (candidate) (recipient); (L)(O)LDN: (laparoscopic) (open) live-donor nephrectomy; MBD: metabolic bone disease; MCS: Mean channel shift (in FCM-XM); MFI: mean fluorescence intensity; MMF: mycophenolate mofetil; mTOR(i): mammalian target of rapamycin (inhibitor); NG: ‘not graded’; PAP: Papanicolaou smear; PCN: percutaneous nephrostomy; PCNL: percutaneous nephrolithotomy; PKTU: post-KT urolithiasis; PLEX: plasma exchange; PRA: panel reactive antibodies; PSI: proliferation signal inhibitor; PTA: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty; RAS: renal artery stenosis; RAT: renal artery thrombosis;:rATG: rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin; RCT: randomised controlled trial; RIS: Relative MFI Score; RVT: renal vein thrombosis; TB: tuberculosis; TCMR: T-cell-mediated rejection; URS: ureterorenoscopy; (CD)US: (colour Doppler) ultrasonography; VCUG: voiding cystourethrogram; XM: cross match; ZN: Ziehl–Neelsen stain

Logistic Regression Model in a Machine Learning Application to Predict Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients with Worse Renal Function One Year after Kidney Transplant: Elderly KTbot

Background

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a public health problem worldwide. Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best treatment for elderly patients' longevity and quality of life.

Objectives

The primary endpoint was to compare elderly versus younger KT recipients by analyzing the risk covariables involved in worsening renal function, proteinuria, graft loss, and death one year after KT. The secondary endpoint was to create a robot based on logistic regression capable of predicting the likelihood that elderly recipients will develop worse renal function one year after KT.

Method

Unicentric retrospective analysis of a cohort was performed with individuals aged ≥60 and <60 years old. We analysed medical records of KT recipients from January to December 2017, with a follow-up time of one year after KT. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios for elderly vs younger recipients, controlled for demographic, clinical, laboratory, data pre- and post-KT, and death.

Results

18 elderly and 100 younger KT recipients were included. Pretransplant immune variables were similar between two groups. No significant differences (P > 0.05) between groups were observed after KT on laboratory data means and for the prevalences of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, acute rejection, cytomegalovirus, polyomavirus, and urinary infections. One year after KT, the creatinine clearance was higher (P = 0.006) in youngers (70.9 ± 25.2 mL/min/1.73 m²) versus elderlies (53.3 ± 21.1 mL/min/1.73 m²). There was no difference in death outcome comparison. Multivariable analysis among covariables predisposing chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation <60 mL/min/1.73 m² presented a statistical significance for age ≥60 years (P = 0.01) and reduction in serum haemoglobin (P = 0.03). The model presented goodness-fit in the evaluation of artificial intelligence metrics (precision: 90%; sensitivity: 71%; and F ₁ score: 0.79).

Conclusion

Renal function in elderly KT recipients was lower than in younger KT recipients. However, patients aged ≥60 years maintained enough renal function to remain off dialysis. Moreover, a learning machine application built a robot (Elderly KTbot) to predict in the elderly populations the likelihood of worse renal function one year after KT.

Frailty and the Kidney Transplant Wait List: Protocol for a Multicenter Prospective Study

Background:

Understanding how frailty affects patients listed for transplantation has been identified as a priority research need. Frailty may be associated with a high risk of death or wait-list withdrawal, but this has not been evaluated in a large multicenter cohort of Canadian wait-listed patients.

Objective:

The primary objective is to evaluate whether frailty is associated with death or permanent withdrawal from the transplant wait list. Secondary objectives include assessing whether frailty is associated with hospitalization, quality of life, and the probability of being accepted to the wait list.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Seven sites with established renal transplant programs that evaluate patients for the kidney transplant wait list.

Patients:

Individuals who are being considered for the kidney transplant wait list.

Measurements:

We will assess frailty using the Fried Phenotype, a frailty index, the Short Physical Performance Battery, and the Clinical Frailty Scale at the time of listing for transplantation. We will also assess frailty at the time of referral to the wait list and annually after listing in a subgroup of patients.

Methods:

The primary outcome of the composite of time to death or permanent wait-list withdrawal will be compared between patients who are frail and those who are not frail and will account for the competing risks of deceased and live donor transplantation. Secondary outcomes will include number of hospitalizations and length of stay, and in a subset, changes in frailty severity over time, change in quality of life, and the probability of being listed. Recruitment of 1165 patients will provide >80% power to identify a relative hazard of ≥1.7 comparing patients who are frail to those who are not frail for the primary outcome (2-sided α = .05), whereas a more conservative recruitment target of 624 patients will provide >80% power to identify a relative hazard of ≥2.0.

Results:

Through December 2019, 665 assessments of frailty (inclusive of those for the primary outcome and all secondary outcomes including repeated measures) have been completed.

Limitations:

There may be variation across sites in the processes of referral and listing for transplantation that will require consideration in the analysis and results.

Conclusions:

This study will provide a detailed understanding of the association between frailty and outcomes for wait-listed patients. Understanding this association is necessary before routinely measuring frailty as part of the wait-list eligibility assessment and prior to ascertaining the need for interventions that may modify frailty.

Trial Registration:

Not applicable as this is a protocol for a prospective observational study.

Trends in the Medical Complexity and Outcomes of Medicare-insured Patients Undergoing Kidney Transplant in the Years 1998-2014

BACKGROUND

Graft and patient survival following kidney transplant are improving. However, the drivers of this trend are unclear. To gain further insight, we set out to examine concurrent changes in pretransplant patient complexity, posttransplant survival, and cause-specific hospitalization.

METHODS

We identified 101 332 Medicare-insured patients who underwent their first kidney transplant in the United States between the years 1998 and 2014. We analyzed secular trends in (1) posttransplant patient and graft survival and (2) posttransplant hospitalization for cardiovascular disease, infection, and cancer using Cox models with year of kidney transplant as the primary exposure of interest.

RESULTS

Age, dialysis vintage, body mass index, and the prevalence of a number of baseline medical comorbidities increased during the study period. Despite these adverse changes in case mix, patient survival improved: the unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for death in 2014 (versus 1998) were 0.61 (confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.73) and 0.46 (CI, 0.39-0.55), respectively. For graft failure excluding death with a functioning graft, the unadjusted and multivariable adjusted subdistribution HRs in 2014 versus 1998 were 0.4 (CI, 0.25-0.55) and 0.45 (CI, 0.3-0.6), respectively. There was a marked decrease in hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease following transplant between 1998 and 2011, subdistribution HR 0.51 (CI, 0.43-0.6). Hospitalization for infection remained unchanged, while cancer hospitalization increased modestly.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicare-insured patients undergoing kidney transplant became increasingly medically complex between 1998 and 2014. Despite this, both patient and graft survival improved during this period. A marked decrease in serious cardiovascular events likely contributed to this positive trend.

Impact of Aortoiliac Stenosis on Graft and Patient Survival in Kidney Transplant Recipients Using the TASC II Classification

BACKGROUND

Patients with end-stage renal disease and aortoiliac stenosis are often considered ineligible for kidney transplantation, although kidney transplantation has been acknowledged as the best therapy for end-stage renal disease. The clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with aortoiliac stenosis are not well-studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of aortoiliac stenosis on graft and patient survival.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-center study included kidney transplant recipients transplanted between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2016, who received contrast-enhanced imaging. Patients with aortoiliac stenosis were classified using the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification and categorized as having TASC II A/B lesions or having TASC II C/D lesions. Patients without aortoiliac stenosis were functioning as controls.

RESULTS

A total number of 374 patients was included in this study (n = 88 with TASC II lesions, n = 286 as controls). Death-censored graft survival was similar to the controls. Patient and uncensored graft survival was decreased in patients with TASC II C/D lesions (log-rank test P < 0.001). Patients with TASC II C/D lesions had a higher risk of 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 3.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-14.04). In multivariable analysis, having a TASC II C/D lesion was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio, 3.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.87-5.67; P < 0.001). Having any TASC II lesion was not a risk factor for graft loss (overall P = 0.282).

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney transplantation in patients with TASC II A/B is feasible and safe without increased risk of perioperative mortality. TASC II C/D decreases patient survival. Death-censored graft survival is unaffected.

Retrospective Analysis of the first 100 Kidney Transplants at the Istanbul Okan University, Health Application and Research Center

Objectives:

The renal transplant program of Istanbul Okan University Hospital started in August 2017. Five cadaveric and 95 living donor kidney transplants have been performed for over 16 months. In this study, we aimed to share our experiences regarding kidney transplantation.

Methods:

In this study, a retrospective analysis of 100 patients who underwent kidney transplantation at the Istanbul Okan University over 16 months, the Health Application and Research Center was carried out. Patients’ demographics, creatinine levels of donors and recipients, co-morbid conditions, postoperative complications, features of arterial anastomosis and arterial variations observed on computed tomography angiography of donor-patient were assessed.

Results:

Mean age of donor patients was 44.05±13.76 (18-71) years. All living donors had computed tomography angiography for assessment of the vascular structure of both kidneys. Accessory right kidney artery was the most dominant vascular variation (16.5%). The primary cause of chronic renal disease was diabetes mellitus (36.4%) and hypertension (15.6%). Mean warm and cold ischemia time was 1.82±0.44 (1-3) and 40.25±6.12 (31-57) minutes, respectively. The most observed postoperative complication was stenosis of ureter anastomosis (4.1%). End-to-end arterial anastomosis between renal and internal iliac arteries was the most preferred anastomosis (57.2%).

Conclusion:

Increasing kidney transplantation, which is the most appropriate treatment in terms of cost-effectiveness, will be beneficial for patient health and economy of the country.

Frailty Screening in Chronic Kidney Disease: Current Perspectives

Frailty has been defined as a state of increased vulnerability as a consequence of deficit accumulation. Frailty screening has not yet been widely implemented into routine nephrology care. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of being frail, and frailty has been associated with worse outcomes in this population. Standard management of CKD, including initiation of renal replacement therapies, may have decreased benefit or potentially cause harm in the presence of frailty, and a variety of interventions for modifying frailty in the CKD population have been proposed. The optimal means of screening for frailty in patients with kidney disease remains unclear. This review highlights the value of frailty screening in CKD by summarizing the outcomes associated with frailty and exploring proposed changes to the management of frail patients with CKD. Finally, we will propose a framework for how to implement frailty screening into standard nephrology care.

Cancer in kidney transplant recipients

Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients after cardiovascular disease. Kidney transplant recipients have at least a twofold higher risk of developing or dying from cancer than the general population. The increased risk of de novo and recurrent cancer in transplant recipients is multifactorial and attributed to oncogenic viruses, immunosuppression and altered T cell immunity. Transplant candidates and potential donors should be screened for cancer as part of the assessment process. For potential recipients with a prior history of cancer, waiting periods of 2-5 years after remission - largely depending on the cancer type and stage of initial cancer diagnosis - are recommended. Post-transplantation cancer screening needs to be tailored to the individual patient, considering the cancer risk of the individual, comorbidities, overall prognosis and the screening preferences of the patient. In kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with cancer, treatment includes conventional approaches, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, together with consideration of altering immunosuppression. As the benefits of transplantation compared with dialysis in potential transplant candidates with a history of cancer have not been assessed, current clinical practice relies on evidence from observational studies and registry analyses.

Age-associated decrease in de novo donor-specific antibodies in renal transplant recipients reflects changing humoral immunity

Background

Older age at organ transplantation is associated with increased risk of infection and malignancy but reduced risk of cellular rejection. De novo donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (dnDSA), are key biomarkers associated with reduced long-term allograft survival, yet there is a lack of data focusing on age-associated changes.

Methods

Development of dnDSA was restrospectively analyzed in all subjects who received a kidney transplant at the University Hospital Zurich between 01/2006 and 02/2015. Follow up continued until 03/2016. The incidence of dnDSA in different age categories was compared with special focus on the extremes of age: children < 10 years (n = 19) and adults ≥60 years of age (n = 110).

Results

Incidence of dnDSA gradually decreased with age, with older recipients having a significantly lower risk (HR 0.21, p = 0.0224) compared to pediatric recipients. Cumulative incidence of dnDSA at 2, 5 and 10 years was 6.2, 9.1 and 36% in the older recipients versus 5.3, 29.5 and 47.1% in pediatric recipients. Median time to development of dnDSA was similar (older 720 days, min 356, max 3646 days; children 1086 days, min 42, max 2474 days). Annual incidence was highest within the first two years after transplantation in the older recipients and peaked in years two to four in pediatric recipients. DnDSA were predominantly class II. More dnDSA were observed with cyclosporine as compared to tacrolimus.

Conclusion

Older kidney transplant recipients have a lower risk of developing dnDSA than pediatric recipients, pointing towards reduced humoral immune reactivity with increasing age. This observation raises the question of adjustment in immunosuppression.

Characterizing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of immunosuppressant medicines and patient outcomes in elderly renal transplant patients

This review examines what is currently known about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly prescribed immunosuppressant medicines, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate and prednisolone, in elderly renal transplant recipients, and reported patient outcomes in this cohort. Renal transplantation is increasing rapidly in the elderly, however, currently, long-term patient outcomes are relatively poor compared to younger adults. Some studies have suggested that elderly recipients may have higher dose-adjusted exposure and/or lower clearance of the calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and cyclosporine; with one study reporting up to 50% reduction in tacrolimus exposure in the elderly. Elderly transplant recipients do not appear to have higher dosage-adjusted exposure to mycophenolic acid (MPA). The effects of ageing on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone are unknown. Only one study has examined how aging effects drug target enzymes, reporting no difference in baseline inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity and MPA-induced IMPDH activity in elderly compared to younger adult renal transplant recipients. In elderly transplant recipients, immunosenescence likely lowers the risk of acute rejection, but increases the risk of drug-related adverse effects. Currently, the three main causes of death in elderly renal transplant recipients are cardiovascular disease, infection and malignancy. One study has showed that renal transplant recipients aged over 65 years are seven times more likely to die with a functioning graft compared with young adults (aged 18-29 years). This suggests that an optimal balance between immunosuppressant medicine efficacy and toxicity is not achieved in elderly recipients, and further studies are needed to foster long-term graft and patient survival. Lower maintenance immunosuppressant targets in elderly recipients may decrease patient susceptibility to drug side effects, however, further studies are required and appropriate targets need to be established.

Risk Factors for Early Graft Failure and Death After Kidney Transplantation in Recipients Older Than 70 Years

INTRODUCTION

Although kidney transplantation carries a survival benefit compared with dialysis, mortality, especially the first year after transplantation, is high in recipients older than 70. The aim of this study was to evaluate early death and graft failure, and to determine the risk factors associated with these events in this specific population.

METHODS

All patients older than 70 years who received a kidney transplant between January 2000 and December 2014 in the North-West of France were included (n = 171). Baseline characteristics and outcomes after transplantation were studied. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess patient and graft survival, and Cox regression analysis to evaluate risk factors for graft failure and patient death.

RESULTS

The mean recipient age was 73.3 ± 2.5 years. Death-censored graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years were 82.6%, 78.7%, and 75.4%, respectively. Patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 90.1%, 82.5%, and 68.1%, respectively. One year after transplantation, 17 patients (9.9%) were dead, mainly from infectious (58.5%) or cardiovascular disease (29.4%). According to the Cox multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for death or graft failure during the first year were arrhythmia (odds ratio [OR] 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-4.8), left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) under 56% (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.18-4.83), human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.04-4.2), deceased donor from cardiovascular cause (OR 5.18; 95% CI 1.22-6.3), and acute rejection (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.2-6.3).

CONCLUSION

In kidney transplant recipients older than 70 years, cardiac evaluation and immunosuppression optimization seem to be crucial to improve short-term patient and graft survival.

Critical Appraisal of International Clinical Practice Guidelines in Kidney Transplantation Using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Education II Tool: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Although clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are used for the development of local protocols in kidney transplantation (Ktx), the quality of their methodology is variable. This systematic review aimed to critically appraise international CPGs in all aspects of Ktx using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool.

METHODS

Clinical Practice Guidelines in Ktx and donation published between 2010 and 2017 were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, National Health Service and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Evidence Searches, and the websites of transplant societies. Using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II, 3 appraisers assessed the quality of CPGs. Interrater reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

Searches identified 3168 records, and 115 CPGs were included. The highest scoring Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II domain was "scope and purpose" (80%; range, 30%-100%), followed by "clarity of presentation" (77%; range, 43%-98%), "editorial independence" (52%; range, 0%-94%), "rigor of development" (47%; range 6%-97%) and "stakeholder involvement" (41%; range, 11%-85%). The poorest scoring domain was "applicability" (31%; range, 3%-74%). Most CPGs were recommended for future use either with (63%) or without (18%) modifications. A small number (14%) were not recommended for future use or reviewers (5%) did not agree on recommending the CPG. The overall mean CPG quality score was 4 of 7 (range, 2-7). The mean ICC of 0.74 indicated substantial agreement between reviewers.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of international CPGs in Ktx was variable, and most CPGs lacked key aspects of methodological robustness and transparency. Improvements in methodology, patient involvement, and strategies for implementation are required.

Changes in health-related quality of life in older candidates waiting for kidney transplantation

AIM

There is limited available knowledge regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older patients with chronic kidney disease. We aimed to describe HRQoL in renal transplant candidates 65 years or older at transplant acceptance, and during the first year on the waiting list.

METHODS

A nationwide prospective observational study in Norway was conducted. HRQoL was evaluated at baseline (wait listing) and after 6 and 12 months using the patient self-reported Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short form version 1.3. Intra-individual scores at different times were evaluated. Generic HRQoL was compared with scores from an age-matched Norwegian population.

RESULTS

From January 2013 to November 2016, 261 patients ≥65 years accepted for deceased donor kidney transplantation were included. Mean age at inclusion was 71.1 years, 67% male and 69% were on dialysis. HRQoL sum scores significantly decreased during the first year on the waiting list. Physical, mental and kidney disease component summary score reduced from 39.6 to 38.1 (P = 0.045), 48.8 to 44.7 (P < 0.001) and 72.1 to 70.2 (P = 0.03), respectively. When evaluating each domain separately, only the decrease in social function was clinically significant. Age and being on dialysis were the most important predictors for low HRQoL. Compared to the age-matched general population, males had significant lower HRQoL scores. Females were comparable to the general female population at baseline except in general health and vitality.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQoL in older patients waiting for kidney transplantation decreases during the first year on the waiting list, but only the change in social function is clinically significant.