ESAs in transplant anemia: one size does not "fit all"

Posttransplant Anemia as a Prognostic Factor of Mortality in Kidney-Transplant Recipients

Background. Findings on the association between posttransplant anemia (PTA) and mortality in posttransplant patients are scarce. This study explored whether PTA shortly after kidney transplantation (KT) predicts mortality at up to 10 years' follow-up, stratified for chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages. Methods. PTA was divided into 3 categories according to the hemoglobin (Hb) value: severe (Hb < 10 g/dl), mild (10.0 g/dl ≤ Hb < 11.9 g/dl), or no PTA (Hb ≥ 12 g/dl). CKD stages were estimated using the CKD-EPI formula and divided into 2 groups: CKD1-2 and CKD3-5. Cox regression, stratified according to CKD, was performed to identify whether different categories of PTA predicted mortality in KT recipients. Results. Age, being female, and both mild and severe PTA contributed significantly to the Cox regression model on mortality in CKD1-2. In the Cox regression model for mortality in CKD3-5, age and severe PTA contributed significantly to this model. Conclusion. PTA shortly after KT increased the risk of mortality at up to 10 years' follow-up. Even mild PTA is associated with a 6-fold higher risk of mortality and severe PTA with a 10-fold higher risk of mortality in CKD1-2. Clinical evaluation and treatment of anemia might reduce the higher risk of mortality in patients with PTA in early stages of CKD after KT.

Anemia has a negative impact on self-rated health in kidney transplant recipients with well-functioning grafts: findings from an 8-year follow-up study

PURPOSE

Anemia is a predictor of mortality and of self-rated health (SRH). However, studies on the relationship between SRH and changes in hemoglobin (Hb) value over time stratified by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages are lacking. The aim is to explore whether a change in Hb-value over time associates with SRH at up to 8-year follow-up, stratified for CKD stages.

METHODS

A prospective study with a baseline measurement between the 3rd and 12th month after KT was performed on 337 consecutive patients. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from medical records. CKD stages were estimated using the CKD-EPI formula and divided into two groups: CKD1-2 and CKD3-5. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were performed to identify associations of SRH at follow-up in both CKD groups.

RESULTS

Male gender, new-onset diabetes mellitus after KT (NODAT), a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and Hb-value over time contributed significantly to the GEE model on SRH at follow-up in CKD1-2. For SRH at follow-up in CKD3-5, older age, male gender and chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD) contributed significantly to the GEE model.

CONCLUSIONS

At up to 8-year follow-up, male gender, NODAT, a decrease in eGFR and Hb-value over time are associated with poorer SRH in CKD1-2. In such patients, we suggest monitoring slight deteriorations in eGFR and Hb-values. In CKD3-5, higher age, male gender and higher presence of CRAD are associated with poorer SRH at up to 8-year follow-up. In these patients, adequate treatment would slow down CRAD progression.