1
|
Adler JT, Kuk AE, Cron DC, Parast L, Husain SA. Insurance Transitions from Employer-Based Insurance to Medicare and Waitlisting for Kidney Transplantation: Placing Marietta v. DaVita in Context. J Am Soc Nephrol 2024; 35:495-498. [PMID: 38221653 PMCID: PMC11000745 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Arnold E. Kuk
- Biomedical Data Sciences Hub, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - David C. Cron
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Layla Parast
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Syed Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Husain SA, Khanna S, Yu M, Adler JT, Cron DC, King KL, Schold JD, Mohan S. Cold Ischemia Time and Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplantation: A Paired Kidney Analysis. Transplantation 2024:00007890-990000000-00713. [PMID: 38557641 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to understand the association between cold ischemia time (CIT) and delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation and the impact of organ pumping on that association. METHODS Retrospective cohort study using US registry data. We identified kidney pairs from the same donor where both kidneys were transplanted but had a CIT difference >0 and ≤20 h. We determined the frequency of concordant (both kidneys with/without DGF) or discordant (only 1 kidney DGF) DGF outcomes. Among discordant pairs, we computed unadjusted and adjusted relative risk of DGF associated with longer-CIT status, when then repeated this analysis restricted to pairs where only the longer-CIT kidney was pumped. RESULTS Among 25 831 kidney pairs included, 71% had concordant DGF outcomes, 16% had only the longer-CIT kidney with DGF, and 13% had only the shorter-CIT kidney with DGF. Among discordant pairs, longer-CIT status was associated with a higher risk of DGF in unadjusted and adjusted models. Among pairs where only the longer-CIT kidney was pumped, longer-CIT kidneys that were pumped had a lower risk of DGF than their contralateral shorter-CIT kidneys that were not pumped regardless of the size of the CIT difference. CONCLUSIONS Most kidney pairs have concordant DGF outcomes regardless of CIT difference, but even small increases in CIT raise the risk of DGF. Organ pumping may mitigate and even overcome the adverse consequences of prolonged CIT on the risk of DGF, but prospective studies are needed to better understand this relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, NY
| | - Sohil Khanna
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Miko Yu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, NY
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - David C Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kristen L King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, NY
| | - Jesse D Schold
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Emmons BR, Batal I, King KL, Yu M, Canetta PA, Sandoval PR, Mohan S, Tsapepas D, Adler JT, Ratner LE, Husain SA. Association of Implantation Biopsy Findings in Living Donor Kidneys With Donor and Recipient Outcomes. Am J Kidney Dis 2024; 83:306-317. [PMID: 37879529 PMCID: PMC10922703 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Some living donor kidneys are found to have biopsy evidence of chronic scarring and/or glomerular disease at implantation, but it is unclear if these biopsy findings help predict donor kidney recovery or allograft outcomes. Our objective was to identify the prevalence of chronic histological changes and glomerular disease in donor kidneys, and their association with donor and recipient outcomes. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Single center, living donor kidney transplants from January 2010 to July 2022. EXPOSURE Chronic histological changes, glomerular disease in donor kidney implantation biopsies. OUTCOME For donors, single-kidney estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increase, percent total eGFR loss, ≥40% eGFR decline from predonation baseline, and eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m2 at 6 months after donation; for recipients, death-censored allograft survival. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Biopsies were classified as having possible glomerular disease by pathologist diagnosis or chronic changes based on the percentage of glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, and vascular disease. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with the presence of chronic changes, linear regression to identify the association between chronic changes and single-kidney estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) recovery, and time-to-event analyses to identify the relationship between abnormal biopsy findings and allograft outcomes. RESULTS Among 1,104 living donor kidneys, 155 (14%) had advanced chronic changes on implantation biopsy, and 12 (1%) had findings suggestive of possible donor glomerular disease. Adjusted logistic regression showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 2.44 per 10 years [95% CI, 1.98-3.01), Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 1.87 [95% CI, 1.15-3.05), and hypertension (OR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.01-3.64), were associated with higher odds of chronic changes on implantation biopsy. Adjusted linear regression showed no association of advanced chronic changes with single-kidney eGFR increase or relative risk of eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m2. There were no differences in time-to-death-censored allograft failure in unadjusted or adjusted Cox proportional hazards models when comparing kidneys with chronic changes to kidneys without histological abnormalities. LIMITATIONS Retrospective, absence of measured GFR. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 1 in 7 living donor kidneys had chronic changes on implantation biopsy, primarily in the form of moderate vascular disease, and 1% had possible donor glomerular disease. Abnormal implantation biopsy findings were not significantly associated with 6-month donor eGFR outcomes or allograft survival. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY Kidney biopsies are the gold standard test to identify the presence or absence of kidney disease. However, kidneys donated by healthy living donors-who are extensively screened for any evidence of kidney disease before donation-occasionally show findings that might be considered "abnormal," including the presence of scarring in the kidney or findings suggestive of a primary kidney disease. We studied the frequency of abnormal kidney biopsy findings among living donors at our center. We found that about 14% of kidneys had chronic abnormalities and 1% had findings suggesting possible glomerular kidney disease, but the presence of abnormal biopsy findings was not associated with worse outcomes for the donors or their recipients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan R Emmons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Ibrahim Batal
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Miko Yu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Pietro A Canetta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | | | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Demetra Tsapepas
- Department of Transplant Analytics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Lloyd E Ratner
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - S Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York; Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Murakami N, Reich AJ, He K, Gelfand SL, Leiter RE, Sciacca K, Adler JT, Lu E, Ong SC, Concepcion BP, Singh N, Murad H, Anand P, Ramer SJ, Dadhania DM, Lentine KL, Lakin JR, Alhamad T. Kidney Transplant Clinicians' Perceptions of Palliative Care for Patients With Failing Allografts in the US: A Mixed Methods Study. Am J Kidney Dis 2024; 83:173-182.e1. [PMID: 37726050 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Kidney transplant patients with failing allografts have a physical and psychological symptom burden as well as high morbidity and mortality. Palliative care is underutilized in this vulnerable population. We described kidney transplant clinicians' perceptions of palliative care to delineate their perceived barriers to and facilitators of providing palliative care to this population. STUDY DESIGN National explanatory sequential mixed methods study including an online survey and semistructured interviews. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Kidney transplant clinicians in the United States surveyed and interviewed from October 2021 to March 2022. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Descriptive summary of survey responses, thematic analysis of qualitative interviews, and mixed methods integration of data. RESULTS A total of 149 clinicians completed the survey, and 19 completed the subsequent interviews. Over 90% of respondents agreed that palliative care can be helpful for patients with a failing kidney allograft. However, 46% of respondents disagreed that all patients with failing allografts benefit from palliative care, and two-thirds thought that patients would not want serious illness conversations. More than 90% of clinicians expressed concern that transplant patients and caregivers would feel scared or anxious if offered palliative care. The interviews identified three main themes: (1) transplant clinicians' unique sense of personal and professional responsibility was a barrier to palliative care engagement, (2) clinicians' uncertainty regarding the timing of palliative care collaboration would lead to delayed referral, and (3) clinicians felt challenged by factors related to patients' cultural backgrounds and identities, such as language differences. Many comments reflected an unfamiliarity with the broad scope of palliative care beyond end-of-life care. LIMITATIONS Potential selection bias. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that multiple barriers related to patients, clinicians, health systems, and health policies may pose challenges to the delivery of palliative care for patients with failing kidney transplants. This study illustrates the urgent need for ongoing efforts to optimize palliative care delivery models dedicated to kidney transplant patients, their families, and the clinicians who serve them. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY Kidney transplant patients experience physical and psychological suffering in the context of their illnesses that may be amenable to palliative care. However, palliative care is often underutilized in this population. In this mixed-methods study, we surveyed 149 clinicians across the United States, and 19 of them completed semistructured interviews. Our study results demonstrate that several patient, clinician, system, and policy factors need to be addressed to improve palliative care delivery to this vulnerable population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoka Murakami
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amanda J Reich
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine He
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha L Gelfand
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard E Leiter
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kate Sciacca
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Emily Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Song C Ong
- Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Beatrice P Concepcion
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Neeraj Singh
- Willis Knighton Health System, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Haris Murad
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Prince Anand
- Medical University of South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina
| | | | | | - Krista L Lentine
- Saint Louis University Transplant Center, SSM-Saint Louis University Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Joshua R Lakin
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Tarek Alhamad
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lee BK, Han HS, Adler JT. Minimization of Transplant Immunosuppression: An Elusive Goal. Transplantation 2024; 108:18-19. [PMID: 37525368 PMCID: PMC10830878 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian K Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Hwarang S Han
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Emmons BR, Adler JT, Sandoval PR, King KL, Yu M, Cron DC, Mohan S, Ratner LE, Husain SA. Association between donor kidney cysts and donor and recipient outcomes after living donor kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2024; 38:e15242. [PMID: 38289895 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Incidental kidneys cysts are typically considered benign, but the presence of cysts is more frequent in individuals with other early markers of kidney disease. We studied the association of donor kidney cysts with donor and recipient outcomes after living donor kidney transplantation. METHODS We retrospective identified 860 living donor transplants at our center (1/1/2011-7/31/2022) without missing data. Donor cysts were identified by review of pre-donation CT scan reports. We used linear regression to study the association between donor cysts and 6-month single-kidney estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increase, and time-to-event analyses to study the association between donor cysts and recipient death-censored graft failure. RESULTS Among donors, 77% donors had no kidney cysts, 13% had ≥1 cyst on the kidney not donated, and 11% only had cysts on the donated kidney. In adjusted linear regression, cysts on the donated kidney and kidney not donated were not significantly associated with 6-month single-kidney eGFR increase. Among transplants, 17% used a transplanted kidney with a cyst and 6% were from donors with cysts only on the kidney not transplanted. There was no association between donor cyst group and post-transplant death-censored graft survival. Results were similar in sensitivity analyses comparing transplants using kidneys with no cysts versus 1-2 cysts versus ≥3 cysts. CONCLUSIONS Kidney cysts in living kidney donors were not associated with donor kidney recovery or recipient allograft longevity, suggesting incidental kidney cysts need not be taken into account when determining living donor candidate suitability or the laterality of planned donor nephrectomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan R Emmons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Pedro Rodrigo Sandoval
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Miko Yu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - David C Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lloyd E Ratner
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Syed Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cron DC, Braun HJ, Ascher NL, Yeh H, Chang DC, Adler JT. Sex-based Disparities in Access to Liver Transplantation for Waitlisted Patients With Model for End-stage Liver Disease Score of 40. Ann Surg 2024; 279:112-118. [PMID: 37389573 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association of sex with access to liver transplantation among candidates with the highest possible model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD 40). BACKGROUND Women with end-stage liver disease are less likely than men to receive liver transplantation due in part to MELD's underestimation of renal dysfunction in women. The extent of the sex-based disparity among patients with high disease severity and equally high MELD scores is unclear. METHODS Using national transplant registry data, we compared liver offer acceptance (offers received at match MELD 40) and waitlist outcomes (transplant vs death/delisting) by sex for 7654 waitlisted liver transplant candidates from 2009 to 2019 who reached MELD 40. Multivariable logistic and competing-risks regression was used to estimate the association of sex with the outcome and adjust for the candidate and donor factors. RESULTS Women (N = 3019, 39.4%) spent equal time active at MELD 40 (median: 5 vs 5 days, P = 0.28) but had lower offer acceptance (9.2% vs 11.0%, P < 0.01) compared with men (N = 4635, 60.6%). Adjusting for candidate/donor factors, offers to women were less likely accepted (odds ratio = 0.87, P < 0.01). Adjusting for candidate factors, once they reached MELD 40, women were less likely to be transplanted (subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.90, P < 0.01) and more likely to die or be delisted (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.14, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Even among candidates with high disease severity and equally high MELD scores, women have reduced access to liver transplantation and worse outcomes compared with men. Policies addressing this disparity should consider factors beyond MELD score adjustments alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David C Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Hillary J Braun
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Nancy L Ascher
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Husain SA, Adler JT, Mohan S. Radical Transparency to Improve Equity in the Kidney Allocation System. Kidney360 2024; 5:121-123. [PMID: 38010055 PMCID: PMC10833597 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Casey MJ, Murakami N, Ong S, Adler JT, Singh N, Murad H, Parajuli S, Concepcion BP, Lubetzky M, Pavlakis M, Woodside KJ, Faravardeh A, Basu A, Tantisattamo E, Aala A, Gruessner AC, Dadhania DM, Lentine KL, Cooper M, Parsons RF, Alhamad T. Medical and Surgical Management of the Failed Pancreas Transplant. Transplant Direct 2024; 10:e1543. [PMID: 38094134 PMCID: PMC10715788 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the continued improvements in pancreas transplant outcomes in recent decades, a subset of recipients experience graft failure and can experience substantial morbidity and mortality. Here, we summarize what is known about the failed pancreas allograft and what factors are important for consideration of retransplantation. The current definition of pancreas allograft failure and its challenges for the transplant community are explored. The impacts of a failed pancreas allograft are presented, including patient survival and resultant morbidities. The signs, symptoms, and medical and surgical management of a failed pancreas allograft are described, whereas the options and consequences of immunosuppression withdrawal are reviewed. Medical and surgical factors necessary for successful retransplant candidacy are detailed with emphasis on how well-selected patients may achieve excellent retransplant outcomes. To achieve substantial medical mitigation and even pancreas retransplantation, patients with a failed pancreas allograft warrant special attention to their residual renal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary function. Future studies of the failed pancreas allograft will require improved reporting of graft failure from transplant centers and continued investigation from experienced centers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Casey
- Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Naoka Murakami
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Song Ong
- Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | | | - Haris Murad
- Section of Nephrology, The Aga Khan University, Medical College, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Arpita Basu
- Division of Renal Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Amtul Aala
- Division of Nephrology, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Krista L. Lentine
- Division of Nephrology, SSM Health Saint Louis University Transplant Center, St. Louis, MO
| | - Matthew Cooper
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ronald F. Parsons
- Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tarek Alhamad
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, MO
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ross-Driscoll K, McElroy LM, Adler JT. Geography, inequities, and the social determinants of health in transplantation. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1286810. [PMID: 38146478 PMCID: PMC10749310 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1286810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the causes of inequity in organ transplantation, geography is oft-cited but rarely defined with precision. Traditionally, geographic inequity has been characterized by variation in distance to transplant centers, availability of deceased organ donors, or the consequences of allocation systems that are inherently geographically based. Recent research has begun to explore the use of measures at various geographic levels to better understand how characteristics of a patient's geographic surroundings contribute to a broad range of transplant inequities. Within, we first explore the relationship between geography, inequities, and the social determinants of health. Next, we review methodologic considerations essential to geographic health research, and critically appraise how these techniques have been applied. Finally, we propose how to use geography to improve access to and outcomes of transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Center for Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Lisa M. McElroy
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Husain SA, Yu ME, King KL, Adler JT, Schold JD, Mohan S. Disparities in Kidney Transplant Waitlisting Among Young Patients Without Medical Comorbidities. JAMA Intern Med 2023; 183:1238-1246. [PMID: 37782509 PMCID: PMC10546295 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.5013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Importance Disparities in kidney transplant referral and waitlisting contribute to disparities in kidney disease outcomes. Whether these differences are rooted in population differences in comorbidity burden is unclear. Objective To examine whether disparities in kidney transplant waitlisting were present among a young, relatively healthy cohort of patients unlikely to have medical contraindications to kidney transplant. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used the US Renal Data System Registry to identify patients with end-stage kidney disease who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2019. Patients who were older than 40 years, received a preemptive transplant, were preemptively waitlisted, or had documented medical comorbidities other than hypertension or smoking were excluded, yielding an analytic cohort of 52 902 patients. Data were analyzed between March 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s) Kidney transplant waitlisting after dialysis initiation. Results Of 52 902 patients (mean [SD] age, 31 [5] years; 31 132 [59%] male; 3547 [7%] Asian/Pacific Islander, 20 782 [39%] Black/African American, and 28 006 [53%] White) included in the analysis, 15 840 (30%) were waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation, 11 122 (21%) were waitlisted between 1 and 5 years after dialysis initiation, and 25 940 (49%) were not waitlisted by 5 years. Patients waitlisted within 1 year of dialysis initiation were more likely to be male, to be White, to be employed full time, and to have had predialysis nephrology care. There were large state-level differences in the proportion of patients waitlisted within 1 year (median, 33%; range, 15%-58%). In competing risk regression, female sex (adjusted subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90-0.94), Hispanic ethnicity (SHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.80), and Black race (SHR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.64-0.68) were all associated with lower waitlisting after dialysis initiation. Unemployment (SHR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.45-0.48) and part-time employment (SHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.70-0.77) were associated with lower waitlisting compared with full-time employment, and more than 1 year of predialysis nephrology care, compared with none, was associated with greater waitlisting (SHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.46-1.56). Conclusions and Relevance This retrospective cohort study found that fewer than one-third of patients without major medical comorbidities were waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation, with sociodemographic disparities in waitlisting even in this cohort of young, relatively healthy patients unlikely to have a medical contraindication to transplantation. Transplant policy changes are needed to increase transparency and address structural barriers to waitlist access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Miko E. Yu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L. King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Jesse D. Schold
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado–Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Colorado–Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Adler JT, Han HS, Lee BK. Persistent Disparities in Waitlisting After the Kidney Allocation System: Are We Exacerbating the Problem? Kidney Med 2023; 5:100716. [PMID: 37711885 PMCID: PMC10498295 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Hwarang S. Han
- Department of Medicine, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Brian K. Lee
- Department of Medicine, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ross-Driscoll K, Gunasti J, Ayuk-Arrey AT, Adler JT, Axelrod D, McElroy L, Patzer RE, Lynch R. Identifying and understanding variation in population-based access to liver transplantation in the United States. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:1401-1410. [PMID: 37302576 PMCID: PMC10529375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to identify variations in liver transplant access across transplant referral regions (TRRs), accounting for differences in population characteristics and practice environments. Adult end-stage liver disease (ESLD) deaths and liver waitlist additions from 2015 to 2019 were included. The primary outcome was listing-to-death ratio (LDR). We modeled the LDR as a continuous variable and obtained adjusted LDR estimates for each TRR, accounting for clinical and demographic characteristics of ESLD decedents, socioeconomic and health care environment within the TRR, and characteristics of the transplant environment. The overall mean LDR was 0.24 (range: 0.10-0.53). In the final model, proportion of patients living in poverty and concentrated poverty was negatively associated with LDR; organ donation rate was positively associated with LDR. The R2 was 0.60, indicating that 60% of the variability in LDR was explained by the model. Approximately 40% of this variation remained unexplained and may be due to transplant center behaviors amenable to intervention to improve access to care for patients with ESLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie Ross-Driscoll
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| | - Jonathan Gunasti
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Arrey-Takor Ayuk-Arrey
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - David Axelrod
- Solid Organ Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Lisa McElroy
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rachel E Patzer
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Raymond Lynch
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cron DC, Husain SA, King KL, Mohan S, Adler JT. Increased volume of organ offers and decreased efficiency of kidney placement under circle-based kidney allocation. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:1209-1220. [PMID: 37196709 PMCID: PMC10527286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The newest kidney allocation policy kidney allocation system 250 (KAS250) broadened geographic distribution while increasing allocation system complexity. We studied the volume of kidney offers received by transplant centers and the efficiency of kidney placement since KAS250. We identified deceased-donor kidney offers (N = 907,848; N = 36,226 donors) to 185 US transplant centers from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021 (policy implemented March 15, 2021). Each unique donor offered to a center was considered a single offer. We compared the monthly volume of offers received by centers and the number of centers offered before the first acceptance using an interrupted time series approach (pre-/post-KAS250). Post-KAS250, transplant centers received more kidney offers (level change: 32.5 offers/center/mo, P < .001; slope change: 3.9 offers/center/mo, P = .003). The median monthly offer volume post-/pre-KAS250 was 195 (interquartile range 137-253) vs. 115 (76-151). There was no significant increase in deceased-donor transplant volume at the center level after KAS250, and center-specific changes in offer volume did not correlate with changes in transplant volume (r = -0.001). Post-KAS250, the number of centers to whom a kidney was offered before acceptance increased significantly (level change: 1.7 centers/donor, P < .001; slope change: 0.1 centers/donor/mo, P = .014). These findings demonstrate the logistical burden of broader organ sharing, and future allocation policy changes will need to balance equity in transplant access with the operational efficiency of the allocation system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David C Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Syed A Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen L King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cron DC, Tsai TC, Patzer RE, Husain SA, Xiang L, Adler JT. The Association of Dialysis Facility Payer Mix With Access to Kidney Transplantation. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2322803. [PMID: 37432684 PMCID: PMC10336615 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.22803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Insurance coverage for patients with end-stage kidney disease has shifted toward more commercially insured patients at dialysis facilities. The associations among insurance status, facility-level payer mix, and access to kidney transplantation are unclear. Objective To determine the association of dialysis facility commercial payer mix and 1-year incidence of wait-listing for kidney transplantation, and to delineate the association of commercial insurance at the patient vs facility level. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective population-based cohort study used data from the United States Renal Data System from 2013 to 2018. Participants included patients aged 18 to 75 years initiating chronic dialysis between 2013 and 2017, excluding patients with a prior kidney transplant or with major contraindications to kidney transplant. Data were analyzed from August 2021 and May 2023. Exposure Dialysis facility commercial payer mix, calculated as the proportion of patients with commercial insurance per facility. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was patients added to a waiting list for kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation. Multivariable Cox regression, censoring for death, was used to adjust for patient-level (demographic, socioeconomic, and medical) and facility-level factors. Results A total of 233 003 patients (97 617 [41.9%] female patients; mean [SD] age, 58.0 [12.1] years) across 6565 facilities met inclusion criteria. Participants included 70 062 Black patients (30.1%), 42 820 Hispanic patients (18.4%), 105 368 White patients (45.2%), and 14 753 patients (6.3%) who identified as another race or ethnicity (eg, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial). Of 6565 dialysis facilities, the mean (SD) commercial payer mix was 21.2% (15.6 percentage points). Patient-level commercial insurance was associated with increased incidence of wait-listing (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.80-1.93; P < .001). At the facility-level and before covariate adjustment, higher commercial payer mix was associated with increased wait-listing (fourth vs first payer mix quartile [Q]: HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.67-1.91; P < .001). However, after covariate-adjustment, including adjusting for patient-level insurance status, commercial payer mix was not significantly associated with outcome (Q4 vs Q1: aHR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.95-1.09; P = .60). Conclusions and Relevance In this national cohort study of patients newly initiated on chronic dialysis, although patient-level commercial insurance was associated with higher access to the kidney transplant waiting lists, there was no independent association of facility-level commercial payer mix with patients being added to waiting lists for transplant. As the landscape of insurance coverage for dialysis evolves, the potential downstream impact on access to kidney transplant should be monitored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David C. Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas C. Tsai
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel E. Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Medicine, Emory Medical School, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Syed A. Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Lingwei Xiang
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Alhamad T, Murad H, Dadhania DM, Pavlakis M, Parajuli S, Concepcion BP, Singh N, Murakami N, Casey MJ, Ji M, Lubetzky M, Tantisattamo E, Alomar O, Faravardeh A, Blosser CD, Basu A, Gupta G, Adler JT, Adey D, Woodside KJ, Ong SC, Parsons RF, Lentine KL. The Perspectives of General Nephrologists Toward Transitions of Care and Management of Failing Kidney Transplants. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11172. [PMID: 37456682 PMCID: PMC10348051 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The management of failing kidney allograft and transition of care to general nephrologists (GN) remain a complex process. The Kidney Pancreas Community of Practice (KPCOP) Failing Allograft Workgroup designed and distributed a survey to GN between May and September 2021. Participants were invited via mail and email invitations. There were 103 respondents with primarily adult nephrology practices, of whom 41% had an academic affiliation. More than 60% reported listing for a second kidney as the most important concern in caring for patients with a failing allograft, followed by immunosuppression management (46%) and risk of mortality (38%), while resistant anemia was considered less of a concern. For the initial approach to immunosuppression reduction, 60% stop antimetabolites first, and 26% defer to the transplant nephrologist. Communicating with transplant centers about immunosuppression cessation was reported to occur always by 60%, and sometimes by 29%, while 12% reported making the decision independently. Nephrologists with academic appointments communicate with transplant providers more than private nephrologists (74% vs. 49%, p = 0.015). There are heterogeneous approaches to the care of patients with a failing allograft. Efforts to strengthen transitions of care and to develop practical practice guidelines are needed to improve the outcomes of this vulnerable population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Alhamad
- John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Haris Murad
- John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Darshana M. Dadhania
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Weill Cornel Medicine - New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Martha Pavlakis
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sandesh Parajuli
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Neeraj Singh
- John C. McDonald Regional Transplant Center, Willis Knighton Health System, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Naoka Murakami
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael J. Casey
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mengmeng Ji
- John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michelle Lubetzky
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ekamol Tantisattamo
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, United States
| | - Omar Alomar
- John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Arman Faravardeh
- SHARP Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Center, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Christopher D. Blosser
- Department of Medicine, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Arpita Basu
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Deborah Adey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Song C. Ong
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Ronald F. Parsons
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Krista L. Lentine
- Center for Abdominal Transplantation, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
King KL, Husain SA, Yu M, Adler JT, Schold J, Mohan S. Characterization of Transplant Center Decisions to Allocate Kidneys to Candidates With Lower Waiting List Priority. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2316936. [PMID: 37273203 PMCID: PMC10242426 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.16936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Allocation of deceased donor kidneys is meant to follow a ranked match-run list of eligible candidates, but transplant centers with a 1-to-1 relationship with their local organ procurement organization have full discretion to decline offers for higher-priority candidates and accept them for lower-ranked candidates at their center. Objective To describe the practice and frequency of transplant centers placing deceased donor kidneys with candidates who are not the highest rank at their center according to the allocation algorithm. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used 2015 to 2019 organ offer data from US transplant centers with a 1-to-1 relationship with their local organ procurement organization, following candidates for transplant events from January 2015 to December 2019. Participants were deceased kidney donors with a single match-run and at least 1 kidney transplanted locally and adult, first-time, kidney-only transplant candidates receiving at least 1 offer for a locally transplanted deceased donor kidney. Data were analyzed from March 1, 2022 to March 28, 2023. Exposure Demographic and clinical characteristics of donors and recipients. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcome of interest was kidney transplantation into the highest-priority candidate (defined as transplanted after zero declines for local candidates in the match-run) vs a lower-ranked candidate. Results This study assessed 26 579 organ offers from 3136 donors (median [IQR] age, 38 [25-51] years; 2903 [62%] men) to 4668 recipients. Transplant centers skipped their highest-ranked candidate to place kidneys further down the match-run for 3169 kidneys (68%). These kidneys went to a median (IQR) of the fourth- (third- to eighth-) ranked candidate. Higher kidney donor profile index (KDPI; higher score indicates lower quality) kidneys were less likely to go to the highest-ranked candidate, with 24% of kidneys with KDPI of at least 85% going to the top-ranked candidate vs 44% of KDPI 0% to 20% kidneys. When comparing estimated posttransplant survival (EPTS) scores between the skipped candidates and the ultimate recipients, kidneys were placed with recipients with both better and worse EPTS than the skipped candidates, across all KDPI risk groups. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of local kidney allocation at isolated transplant centers, we found that centers frequently skipped their highest-priority candidates to place kidneys further down the allocation prioritization list, often citing organ quality concerns but placing kidneys with recipients with both better and worse EPTS with nearly equal frequency. This occurred with limited transparency and highlights the opportunity to improve the matching and offer algorithm to improve allocation efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L. King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - S. Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Miko Yu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Jesse Schold
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cron DC, Worsham CM, Adler JT, Bray CF, Jena AB. Organ Donation and Transplants During Major US Motorcycle Rallies. JAMA Intern Med 2023; 183:22-30. [PMID: 36441514 PMCID: PMC9706401 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.5431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Importance Large-scale motorcycle rallies attract thousands of attendees and are associated with increased trauma-related morbidity and mortality. Objective To examine the association of major US motorcycle rallies with the incidence of organ donation and transplants. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based, retrospective cross-sectional study used data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for deceased organ donors aged 16 years or older involved in a motor vehicle crash and recipients of organs from these donors from March 2005 to September 2021. Exposure Dates of 7 large US motorcycle rallies and regions near these events. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were incidence of motor vehicle crash-related organ donation and number of patients receiving a solid organ transplant from these donors. An event study design was used to estimate adjusted rates of organ donation during the dates of 7 major US motorcycle rallies compared with the 4 weeks before and after the rallies in rally-affected and rally-unaffected (control) regions. Donor and recipient characteristics and metrics of organ quality were compared between rally and nonrally dates. Results The study included 10 798 organ donors (70.9% male; mean [SD] age, 32.5 [13.7] years) and 35 329 recipients of these organs (64.0% male; 49.3 [15.5] years). During the rally dates, there were 406 organ donors and 1400 transplant recipients. During the 4 weeks before and after the rallies, there were 2332 organ donors and 7714 transplant recipients. Donors and recipients during rally and nonrally dates were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics, measures of organ quality, measures of recipient disease severity, and recipient waiting time. During rallies, there were 21% more organ donors per day (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09-1.35; P = .001) and 26% more transplant recipients per day (IRR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.12-1.42; P < .001) compared with the 4 weeks before and after the rallies in the regions where they were held. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, major motorcycle rallies in the US were associated with increased incidence of organ donation and transplants. While safety measures to minimize morbidity and mortality during motorcycle rallies should be prioritized, this study showed the downstream association of these events with organ donation and transplants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David C. Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher M. Worsham
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Charles F. Bray
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anupam B. Jena
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Husain SA, King KL, Cron DC, Lentine KL, Adler JT, Mohan S. Influence of organ quality on the observed association between deceased donor kidney procurement biopsy findings and graft survival. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:2842-2854. [PMID: 35946600 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Deceased donor kidney procurement biopsies findings are the most common reason for kidney discard. Retrospective studies have found inconsistent associations with post-transplant outcomes but may have been limited by selection bias because kidneys with advanced nephrosclerosis from high-risk donors are typically discarded. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of kidneys transplanted in the United States from 2015 to 2019 with complete biopsy data available, defining "suboptimal histology" as glomerulosclerosis ≥11%, IFTA ≥mild, and/or vascular disease ≥mild. We used time-to-event analyses to determine the association between suboptimal histology and death-censored graft failure after stratification by kidney donor profile index (KDPI) (≤35%, 36%-84%, ≥85%) and final creatinine (<1 mg/dl, 1-2 mg/dl, >2 mg/dl). Among 30 469 kidneys included, 36% had suboptimal histology. In adjusted analyses, suboptimal histology was associated with death-censored graft failure among kidneys with KDPI 36-84% (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09-1.36), but not KDPI≤35% (HR 1.24, 0.94-1.64) or ≥ 85% (HR 0.99, 0.81-1.22). Similarly, suboptimal histology was associated with death-censored graft failure among kidneys from donors with creatinine 1-2 mg/dl (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.20-1.60) but not <1 mg/dl (HR 1.07, 0.93-1.23) or >2 mg/dl (HR 0.95, 0.75-1.20). The association of procurement histology with graft longevity among intermediate-quality kidneys that were likely to be both biopsied and transplanted suggests biopsies provide independent organ quality assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - David C Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Krista L Lentine
- Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Adler JT, Husain SA. More is better … until it is worse: Can organ placement processes scale to an increasingly complex system? Am J Transplant 2022; 22:2499-2501. [PMID: 35951475 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Syed A Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cron DC, Husain SA, Adler JT. The New Distance-Based Kidney Allocation System: Implications for Patients, Transplant Centers, and Organ Procurement Organizations. Curr Transpl Rep 2022; 9:302-307. [PMID: 36254174 PMCID: PMC9558035 DOI: 10.1007/s40472-022-00384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The goal of deceased donor kidney allocation policy is to provide objective prioritization for donated kidneys, and policy has undergone a series of revisions in the past decade in attempt to achieve equity and utility in access to kidney transplantation. Most recently, to address geographic disparities in access to kidney transplantation, the Kidney Allocation System changed to a distance-based allocation system—colloquially termed “KAS 250”—moving away from donor service areas as the geographic basis of allocation. We review the early impact of this policy change on access to transplant for patients, and on complexity of organ allocation and transplantation for transplant centers and organ procurement organizations. Recent Findings Broader sharing of kidneys has increased complexity of the allocation system, as transplant centers and OPOs now interact in larger networks. The increased competition resulting from this system, and the increased operational burden on centers and OPOs resulting from greater numbers of organ offers, may adversely affect organ utilization. Preliminary results suggest an increase in transplant rate overall but a trend toward higher kidney discard and increased cold ischemia time. Summary The KAS 250 allocation policy changed the geographic basis of deceased donor kidney distribution in a manner that is intended to reduce geographic disparities in access to kidney transplantation. Close monitoring of this policy’s impact on patients, transplant center behavior, and process measures is critical to the aim of maximizing access to transplant while achieving transplant equity.
Collapse
|
22
|
Patzer RE, Adler JT, Harding JL, Huml A, Kim I, Ladin K, Martins PN, Mohan S, Ross-Driscoll K, Pastan SO. A Population Health Approach to Transplant Access: Challenging the Status Quo. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 80:406-415. [PMID: 35227824 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.01.422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Transplant referral and evaluation are critical steps to waitlisting yet remain an elusive part of the transplant process. Despite calls for more data collection on pre-waitlisting steps, there are currently no national surveillance data to aid in understanding the causes and potential solutions for the extreme variation in access to transplantation. As population health scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, and ethicists we submit that the transplant community has an obligation to better understand disparities in transplant access as a first necessary step to effectively mitigating these inequities. Our position is grounded in a population health approach, consistent with several new overarching national policy and quality initiatives. The purpose of this Perspective is to (1) provide an overview of how a population health approach should inform current multisystem policies impacting kidney transplantation and demonstrate how these efforts could be enhanced with national data collection on pre-waitlisting steps; (2) demonstrate the feasibility and concrete next steps for pre-waitlisting data collection; and (3) identify potential opportunities to use these data to implement effective population-level interventions, policies, and quality measures to improve equity in access to kidney transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts; Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica L Harding
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anne Huml
- Case Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Irene Kim
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Keren Ladin
- Departments of Occupational Therapy and Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts; Research on Ethics, Aging, and Community Health (REACH Lab), Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Paulo N Martins
- Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Katie Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephen O Pastan
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Husain SA, King KL, Cron DC, Neidlinger NA, Ng H, Mohan S, Adler JT. Association of transplant center market concentration and local organ availability with deceased donor kidney utilization. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1603-1613. [PMID: 35213789 PMCID: PMC9177771 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Although there is a shortage of kidneys available for transplantation, many transplantable kidneys are not procured or are discarded after procurement. We investigated whether local market competition and/or organ availability impact kidney procurement/utilization. We calculated the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for deceased donor kidney transplants (2015-2019) for 58 US donation service areas (DSAs) and defined 4 groups: HHI ≤ 0.32 (high competition), HHI = 0.33-0.51 (medium), HHI = 0.53-0.99 (low), and HHI = 1 (monopoly). We calculated organ availability for each DSA as the number kidneys procured per incident waitlisted candidate, grouped as: <0.42, 0.42-0.69, >0.69. Characteristics of procured organs were similar across groups. In adjusted logistic regression, the HHI group was inconsistently associated with composite export/discard (reference: high competition; medium: OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11-1.20; low 1.01, 0.96-1.06; monopoly 1.19, 1.13-1.26) and increasing organ availability was associated with export/discard (reference: availability <0.42; 0.42-0.69: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.30-1.40; >0.69: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.73-1.93). When analyzing each endpoint separately, lower competition was associated with higher export and only market monopoly was weakly associated with lower discard, whereas higher organ availability was associated with export and discard. These results indicate that local organ utilization is more strongly influenced by the relative intensity of the organ shortage than by market competition between centers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed A. Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - David C. Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Han Ng
- Department of Economics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
King KL, Husain SA, Perotte A, Adler JT, Schold JD, Mohan S. Deceased donor kidneys allocated out of sequence by organ procurement organizations. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1372-1381. [PMID: 35000284 PMCID: PMC9081167 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Deceased donor kidney allocation follows a ranked match-run of potential recipients. Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) are permitted to deviate from the mandated match-run in exceptional circumstances. Using match-run data for all deceased donor kidney transplants (Ktx) in the US between 2015 and 2019, we identified 1544 kidneys transplanted from 933 donors with an OPO-initiated allocation exception. Most OPOs (55/58) used this process at least once, but 3 OPOs performed 64% of the exceptions and just 2 transplant centers received 25% of allocation exception Ktx. At 2 of 3 outlier OPOs these transplants increased 136% and 141% between 2015 and 2019 compared to only a 35% increase in all Ktx. Allocation exception donors had less favorable characteristics (median KDPI 70, 41% with history of hypertension), but only 29% had KDPI ≥ 85% and the majority did not meet the traditional threshold for marginal kidneys. Allocation exception kidneys went to larger centers with higher offer acceptance ratios and to recipients with 2 fewer priority points-equivalent to 2 less years of waiting time. OPO-initiated exceptions for kidney allocation are growing increasingly frequent and more concentrated at a few outlier centers. Increasing pressure to improve organ utilization risks increasing out-of-sequence allocations, potentially exacerbating disparities in access to transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - S Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Adler Perotte
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Jesse D Schold
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
- Center for Populations Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Husain SA, King KL, Adler JT, Mohan S, Perotte R. Impact of Extending Eligibility for Reinstatement of Waiting Time After Early Allograft Failure: A Decision Analysis. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 79:354-361. [PMID: 34562524 PMCID: PMC8881308 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE The shortage of deceased donor kidneys identified for potential transplantation in the United States is exacerbated by a high proportion of deceased donor kidneys being discarded after procurement. We estimated the impact of a policy proposal aiming to increase organ utilization by extending eligibility for waiting time reinstatement for recipients experiencing early allograft failure after transplantation. STUDY DESIGN Decision analysis informed by clinical registry data. SETTING & POPULATION We used Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data to identify 76,044 deceased-donor kidneys procured in the United States from 2013 to 2017, 80% of which were transplanted and 20% discarded. INTERVENTION Extend waiting time reinstatement for recipients experiencing allograft failure from the current 90 days to 1 year after transplantation. OUTCOME Net impact to the waitlist, defined as the estimated number of additional transplants minus estimated increase in waiting list reinstatements. MODEL, PERSPECTIVE, & TIMEFRAME We estimated (1) the number of additional deceased donor kidneys that would be transplanted if there was a 5%-25% relative reduction in discards, and (2) the number of recipients who would regain waiting time under a 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month reinstatement policy. RESULTS Reinstating a waiting time for recipients experiencing allograft failure up to 1 year after transplantation yielded more additional transplants than growth in additions to the waiting list for all model assumptions except the combination of a very low relative reduction in discards (5%) and a very high failure rate of transplanted kidneys that would previously have been discarded (≥5 times the rate of currently transplanted kidneys). LIMITATIONS Lack of empirical evidence supporting the proposed impact of such a policy change. CONCLUSIONS A policy change reinstating waiting time for deceased donor kidneys recipients with allograft failure up to 1 year after transplantation should explored as a decision science-based intervention to improve organ utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Kristen L. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Rimma Perotte
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Adler RR, Smith RN, Fowler KJ, Gates J, Jefferson NM, Adler JT, Patzer RE. Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR): An Underutilized Approach to Address Surgical Disparities. Ann Surg 2022; 275:496-499. [PMID: 34913903 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Disparities are well-documented across the continuum of surgical care. Counteracting such disparities requires new multidisciplinary approaches that utilize the expertise of affected individuals, such as community-based participatory research (CBPR). CBPR is an approach to research that is anchored in equitable, sustainable community-academic partnerships, and has been shown to improve intervention implementation and outcomes. In this article, community stakeholders and researchers outline the principles and benefits of CBPR, examples of CBPR in trauma and transplant, and future directions for CBPR within surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Adler
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Randi N Smith
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | | | | | | | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Rachel E Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Adler JT, Husain SA, Xiang L, Rodrigue JR, Waikar SS. Initial Home Dialysis Is Increased for Rural Patients by Accessing Urban Facilities. Kidney360 2022; 3:488-496. [PMID: 35582180 PMCID: PMC9034801 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0006932021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background The 240,000 rural patients with end stage kidney disease in the United States have less access to nephrology care and higher mortality than those in urban settings. The Advancing American Kidney Health initiative aims to increase the use of home renal replacement therapy. Little is known about how rural patients access home dialysis and the availability and quality of rural dialysis facilities. Methods Incident dialysis patients in 2017 and their facilities were identified in the United States Renal Data System. Facility quality and service availability were analyzed with descriptive statistics. We assessed the availability of home dialysis methods, depending on rural versus urban counties, and then we used multivariate logistic regression to identify the likelihood of rural patients with home dialysis as their initial modality and the likelihood of rural patients changing to home dialysis within 90 days. Finally, we assessed mortality after dialysis initiation on the basis of patient home location. Results Of the 97,930 dialysis initiates, 15,310 (16%) were rural. Rural dialysis facilities were less likely to offer home dialysis (51% versus 54%, P<0.001). Although a greater proportion of rural patients (9% versus 8%, P<0.001) were on home dialysis, this was achieved by traveling to urban facilities to obtain home dialysis (OR=2.74, P<0.001). After adjusting for patient and facility factors, rural patients had a higher risk of mortality (HR=1.06, P=0.004). Conclusions Despite having fewer facilities that offer home dialysis, rural patients were more often on home dialysis methods because they traveled to urban facilities, representing an access gap. Even if rural patients accessed home dialysis at urban facilities, rural patients still suffered worse mortality. Future dialysis policy should address this access gap to improve care and overall mortality for rural patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Austin at Texas, Austin, Texas,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Lingwei Xiang
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James R. Rodrigue
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sushrut S. Waikar
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Murakami N, Gelfand SL, Sciacca KR, Killeen K, Leiter RE, Adler JT, Chandraker AK, Lakin JR. Inpatient Kidney Palliative Care for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Failing Allografts. Kidney Med 2021; 4:100398. [PMID: 35243310 PMCID: PMC8861950 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Naoka Murakami
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Address for Correspondence: Naoka Murakami, MD, PhD, Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave. EBRC 312, Boston, MA 02115.
| | - Samantha L. Gelfand
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kate R. Sciacca
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kelsey Killeen
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Richard E. Leiter
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Anil K. Chandraker
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joshua R. Lakin
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Husain SA, King KL, Adler JT, Mohan S. Racial disparities in living donor kidney transplantation in the United States. Clin Transplant 2021; 36:e14547. [PMID: 34843124 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease, but there are racial disparities in LDKT rates. To study putative mechanisms of these disparities, we identified 58 752 adult kidney transplant candidates first activated on the United States kidney transplant waitlist 2015-2016 and defined four exposure groups by race/primary payer: African American/Medicaid, African American/NonMedicaid, Non-African American/Medicaid, Non-African American/NonMedicaid. We performed competing risk regression to compare risk of LDKT between groups. Among included candidates, 30% had African American race and 9% had Medicaid primary payer. By the end of follow up, 16% underwent LDKT. The cumulative incidence of LDKT was lowest for African American candidates regardless of payer. Compared to African American/Non-Medicaid candidates, the adjusted likelihood of LDKT was higher for both Non-African American/Medicaid (HR 1.60, 95%CI 1.43-1.78) and Non-African American/Non-Medicaid candidates (HR 2.66, 95%CI 2.50-2.83). Results were similar when analyzing only candidates still waitlisted > 2 years after initial activation or candidates with type O blood. Among 9639 candidates who received LDKT, only 13% were African American. Donor-recipient relationships were similar for African American and Non-African American recipients. These findings indicate African American candidates have a lower incidence of LDKT than candidates of other races, regardless of primary payer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Husain SA, King KL, Robbins-Juarez S, Adler JT, McCune KR, Mohan S. Number of Donor Renal Arteries and Early Outcomes after Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation. Kidney360 2021; 2:1819-1826. [PMID: 35373010 PMCID: PMC8785844 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0005152021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Anatomic abnormalities increase the risk of deceased donor kidney discard, but their effect on transplant outcomes is understudied. We sought to determine the effect of multiple donor renal arteries on early outcomes after deceased donor kidney transplantation. Methods For this retrospective cohort study, we identified 1443 kidneys from 832 deceased donors with ≥1 kidney transplanted at our center (2006-2016). We compared the odds of delayed graft function and 90-day graft failure using logistic regression. To reduce potential selection bias, we then repeated the analysis using a paired-kidney cohort, including kidney pairs from 162 donors with one single-artery kidney and one multiartery kidney. Results Of 1443 kidneys included, 319 (22%) had multiple arteries. Multiartery kidneys experienced longer cold ischemia time, but other characteristics were similar between groups. Delayed graft function (50% multiartery versus 45% one artery, P=0.07) and 90-day graft failure (3% versus 3%, P=0.83) were similar between groups before and after adjusting for donor and recipient characteristics. In the paired kidney analysis, cold ischemia time was significantly longer for multiartery kidneys compared with single-artery kidneys from the same donor (33.5 versus 26.1 hours, P<0.001), but delayed graft function and 90-day graft failure were again similar between groups. Conclusions Compared with single-artery deceased donor kidneys, those with multiple renal arteries are harder to place, but experience similar delayed graft function and early graft failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Ali Husain
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L King
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York
| | - Shelief Robbins-Juarez
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kasi R McCune
- Department of Surgery, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology Group, New York, New York.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cron DC, Murakami N, Xiang L, Yeh H, Adler JT. Anastomosis Time and Outcomes after Donation after Cardiac Death Kidney Transplantation. J Am Coll Surg 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.07.556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
32
|
Emmons BR, Husain SA, King KL, Adler JT, Mohan S. Variations in deceased donor kidney procurement biopsy practice patterns: A survey of U.S. organ procurement organizations. Clin Transplant 2021; 35:e14411. [PMID: 34196034 PMCID: PMC8556234 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procurement biopsies have become a common practice in the evaluation and allocation of deceased donor kidneys in the United States despite questions about their value and reproducibility. We sought to determine the extent of OPO-level differences in criteria used to decide which deceased donor kidneys undergo a procurement biopsy and to assess the degree of variability in procurement biopsy technique and interpretation across OPOs. METHODS Each of the country's 58 OPOs were invited to participate in the survey. OPOs were divided into two groups based on organ availability ratio and deceased donor kidney discard rate. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Fifty-out-of-fifty-eight invited OPOs (86% response rate) responded to the survey between November 2020 and December 2020. Thirty (60%) OPOs reported that they have formal criteria for performing kidney procurement biopsy, but for 29 of these OPOs, transplant centers can request biopsy on kidneys that do not meet criteria. OPOs used a total of seven different variables and 12 different numerical thresholds to define impaired kidney function that would prompt a procurement biopsy. Additionally, wide variability was seen in biopsy technique and procedures for biopsy interpretation and reporting of findings to transplant programs. These findings identify a clear opportunity for standardization of procurement biopsies to best practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan R. Emmons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - S. Ali Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Kristen L. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
- The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Adler JT, Xiang L, Weissman JS, Rodrigue JR, Patzer RE, Waikar SS, Tsai TC. Association of Public Reporting of Medicare Dialysis Facility Quality Ratings With Access to Kidney Transplantation. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2126719. [PMID: 34559227 PMCID: PMC8463939 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.26719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Improving the quality of dialysis care and access to kidney transplantation for patients with end-stage kidney disease is a national clinical and policy priority. The role of dialysis facility quality in increasing access to kidney transplantation is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine whether patient, facility, and kidney transplant waitlisting characteristics are associated with variations in dialysis center quality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This population-based cohort study is an analysis of US Renal Data System data and Medicare Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) data from 2013 to 2018. Participants included all adult (aged ≥18 years) patients in the US Renal Data System beginning long-term dialysis in the US from 2013 to 2017 with follow-up through the end of 2018. Patients with a prior kidney transplant and matched Medicare DFC star ratings to each annual cohort of recipients were excluded. Patients at facilities without a star rating in that year were also excluded. Data analysis was performed from January to April 2021. EXPOSURES Dialysis center quality, as defined by Medicare DFC star ratings. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the proportion of patients undergoing incident dialysis who were waitlisted within 1 year of dialysis initiation. Secondary outcomes were patient and facility characteristics. RESULTS Of 507 581 patients beginning long-term dialysis in the US from 2013 to 2017, 291 802 (57.4%) were male, 266 517 (52.5%) were White, and the median (interquartile range) age was 65 (55-75) years. Of 5869 dialysis facilities in 2017, 132 (2.2%) were 1-star, 436 (7.4%) were 2-star, 2047 (34.9%) were 3-star, 1660 (28.3%) were 4-star, and 1594 (27.2%) were 5-star. Higher-quality dialysis facilities were associated with 47% higher odds of transplant waitlisting (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% CI, 1.39-1.57 for 5-star facilities vs 1-star facilities; P < .001). Black patients were less likely than White patients to be waitlisted for transplantation (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.72-0.76). In addition, patients at for-profit (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74-0.81) and rural (OR, 0.63; 95%, CI 0.58-0.68) facilities were less likely to be waitlisted for transplantation compared with those at nonprofit and urban facilities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, patients at higher-quality dialysis facilities had higher odds than patients at lower-quality facilities of being waitlisted for kidney transplantation within 1 year. Waitlisting rates for kidney transplantation should be considered for integration into the current Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services DFC star ratings to incentivize dialysis facility referral to transplant centers, inform patient choice, and drive quality improvement by increasing transplant waitlisting rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lingwei Xiang
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel S. Weissman
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James R. Rodrigue
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel E. Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Emory Medical School, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Medicine, Emory Medical School, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sushrut S. Waikar
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas C. Tsai
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Adler JT, Husain SA, King KL, Mohan S. Greater complexity and monitoring of the new Kidney Allocation System: Implications and unintended consequences of concentric circle kidney allocation on network complexity. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:2007-2013. [PMID: 33314637 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The deceased donor kidney allocation system in the United States has undergone several rounds of iterative changes, but these changes were not explicitly designed to address the geographic variation in access to transplantation. The new allocation system, expected to start in December 2020, changes the definition of "local allocation" from the Donation Service Area to 250 nautical mile circles originating from the donor hospital. While other solid organs have adopted a similar approach, the larger number of both kidney transplant centers and transplant candidates is likely to have different consequences. Here, we discuss the incredible increase in complexity in allocation, discuss some of the likely intended and unintended consequences, and propose metrics to monitor the new system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Syed A Husain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Kristen L King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.,The Columbia University Renal Epidemiology (CURE) Group, New York, New York.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Melanson TA, Gander JC, Rossi A, Adler JT, Patzer RE. Variation in Waitlisting Rates at the Dialysis Facility Level in the Context of Goals for Improving Kidney Health in the United States. Kidney Int Rep 2021; 6:1965-1968. [PMID: 34307990 PMCID: PMC8258495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2021.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor A Melanson
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer C Gander
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ana Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rachel E Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Castillo-Angeles M, Li G, Bain PA, Stinebring J, Salim A, Adler JT. Systematic review of hospital-level metrics and interventions to increase deceased organ donation. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2021; 35:100613. [PMID: 33744820 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2021.100613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts to ameliorate the organ shortage have predominantly focused on improving processes and interventions at multiple levels in the organ donation process, but no comprehensive review of hospital-level features contributing to organ donation exists. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to better understand current knowledge and knowledge gaps about hospital-level metrics and interventions associated with successful organ donation. METHODS We searched six electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Health Business Elite, and Google scholar) and conference abstracts for articles on hospital-level features associated with the final outcome of organ donation (PROSPERO CRD42020187080). Editorials, letters to the editor, and reviews without original data were excluded. Our main outcomes were conversion rate, donation rate, number of organs recovered, number of donors, and authorization rate. RESULTS Our search yielded 2177 studies, and after a thorough assessment, 72 articles were included in this systematic review. Studies were thematically categorized into 1) Hospital-level interventions associated with metrics of organ donation; these included patient- and family-centric measures (i.e. standardized interviews, collaborative requesting and decoupling, and dedicated in-house coordinators), and donor management goals that significantly increased conversion rates by up to 64%; 2) Hospital-level multi-stage programs/policies; which increased authorization rates between 30 and 50%; and 3) Hospital characteristics and qualities; being an academic center, trauma center and larger hospital correlated with higher authorization and conversion rates. Most studies had considerable risk of bias and were of low quality. CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of well-designed studies on hospital-level metrics and interventions associated with organ donation. The use of thoughtful, patient- and family-centric approaches to authorization generally is associated with more organ donors. Future work can build on what is known about the hospital role in organ donation to improve the entire organ donation process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Castillo-Angeles
- Division of Trauma, Burn, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America; Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - George Li
- Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States of America
| | - Paul A Bain
- Countway Library, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jill Stinebring
- New England Donor Services, Waltham, MA, United States of America
| | - Ali Salim
- Division of Trauma, Burn, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Joel T Adler
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America; Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Adler JT, Dey T. Evaluating Spatial Associations in Inpatient Deaths Between Organ Procurement Organizations. Transplant Direct 2021; 7:e668. [PMID: 34113711 PMCID: PMC8183974 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the measurement of organ procurement organization (OPO) performance, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently proposed using inpatient deaths defined as the eligible pool of organ donors within an OPO as patients 75 years or younger that died from any cause that would not preclude donation. METHODS To account for the geographic variation in OPO performance and organ availability across the United States, we utilized spatial analysis to appraise the newly proposed metric of inpatient deaths. RESULTS Using spatial clustering that accounts for geographic relationships between Organ Procurement Organizations, the top 5 causes of donation-eligible death, and inpatient deaths, we identified 4 unique OPO clusters. Each group had a distinct demographic composition, cause of death, and inpatient death pattern. In multivariate analysis accounting for these geographic relationships, the spatial clusters remained significantly associated with the outcome of inpatient deaths (P < 0.001) and were the best-fitting model compared with models without the spatial clusters; this suggests that further risk adjustment of inpatient deaths should include these geographic considerations. CONCLUSIONS This approach provides not only a manner to assess donor potential by improving risk adjustment but also an opportunity to further explore geographic and spatial relationships in the practice of organ transplantation and OPO performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Tanujit Dey
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sokas C, Cooper Z, Salim A, Rodrigue JR, Adler JT. Wait expectations: The impact of delisting as an outcome from the kidney transplant waitlist. Clin Transplant 2021; 35:e14250. [PMID: 33565145 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While kidney transplantation is optimal for the treatment of end-stage kidney disease, available organs do not meet demand. Little is known about the outcomes of patients who are delisted (removed from the waitlist) and unable to benefit from transplant. We describe patients who are delisted and their life expectancy after delisting. METHODS Patients ≥ 18 years listed for deceased donor kidney transplant between 01/2003 and 12/2013 were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and followed through 12/2018. A competing risk model was used to measure the association of demographic and clinical factors with waitlist outcomes of delisting, transplant, and death. Multivariate Cox modeling was used to evaluate factors associated with death after delisting. RESULTS Of 324,582 patients listed, 18.0% were delisted, most common reasons were "too sick" or "other." After delisting, half (49.7%) had died by end of follow-up; time to death after removal was 5 years. Increasing age and public insurance were associated with increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS Nearly one in five patients will be delisted from the kidney transplant waitlist. These patients live a surprisingly long time after removal. Much remains unknown about these patients, which could be improved through data collection. Delisting is an important patient outcome that warrants further exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Sokas
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zara Cooper
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Salim
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James R Rodrigue
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Efe O, McGrath MM, Hu FY, Ramanathan V, Cotton RT, Adler JT, Azzi J. Urinoma From Surgical Cyst Rupture and Page Kidney Phenomenon in a Kidney Transplant Recipient. Kidney Med 2021; 3:307-308. [PMID: 33851129 PMCID: PMC8039420 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orhan Efe
- Division of Nephrology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Frances Y Hu
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Ronald T Cotton
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Joel T Adler
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jamil Azzi
- Division of Nephrology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Adler JT, Tsai TC, Jin G, Cron DC, Ross-Driscoll KH, Malek SK, Tullius SG, Weissman JS. Association of balanced abdominal organ transplant center volumes with patient outcomes. Clin Transplant 2021; 35:e14217. [PMID: 33405324 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The volume-outcome relationship for organ-specific transplantation is well-described; it is unknown if the relative balance of kidney compared with liver volumes within an institution relates to organ-specific outcomes. We assessed the association between relative balance within a transplant center and outcomes. METHODS National retrospective analysis of isolated kidney and liver transplants in United States 2005-2014 followed through 2019. Latent class analysis defined transplant center phenotypes. Multivariate Cox models estimated death-censored graft loss and mortality. RESULTS Latent class analysis identified four phenotypes: kidney only (n = 117), kidney dominant (n = 36), mixed/balanced (n = 90), and liver dominant (n = 13). Compared to mixed centers, the risk of kidney graft loss was higher at kidney-dominant (HR 1.07, p < .001) and liver-dominant (HR 1.10, p < .001) centers, while kidney-only (HR 1.06, p = .01) centers had higher mortality. Liver graft loss was not associated with phenotype, but risk of patient death was lower (HR 0.93, p = .02) at liver dominant and higher (HR 1.06, p = .02) at kidney-dominant centers. CONCLUSIONS A mixed phenotype was associated with improved kidney transplant outcomes, whereas liver transplant outcomes were best at liver-dominant centers. While these findings need to be verified with center-level resources, optimization of shared resources could improve patient and organ outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas C Tsai
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ginger Jin
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David C Cron
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine H Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sayeed K Malek
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stefan G Tullius
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel S Weissman
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Adler JT, Redfield RR, Kaufman DB, Odorico JS. Isolated pancreas transplantation: Is rank list position related to outcomes of imported grafts? Am J Transplant 2019; 19:3124-3130. [PMID: 30963706 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Transplant centers may decline an import pancreas offer based on demographics and laboratory test results, without information on actual gland quality. The relationship between position on the match run, indicative of the number of centers that chose not to use a pancreas, and patient and death-censored graft survival, is not known. We studied all 199 isolated pancreas grafts transplanted at the University of Wisconsin since July 2000 and compared overall patient and death-censored graft survival based on import vs local status. Of the 199 isolated pancreas transplants, 184 (92.5%) were imported from another donor service area with a median match rank of 49 (interquartile range 14-129). Median cold ischemia time was longer for imported pancreata (16.6 vs 13.4 hours, P = .02). In multivariate Cox modeling, there was no association with position on the rank list and patient (P = .44) or death-censored graft survival (P = .99). There was an overall rate of 6.5% of graft failure within 30 days; however, there was no association with position on the rank list and graft failure at 30 days (P = .33). Although the logistics may be challenging, sound judgment to accept offers independent of prior centers' decisions can result in quality utilization of imported pancreata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Robert R Redfield
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Dixon B Kaufman
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jon S Odorico
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Adler JT, Zaborek N, Redfield RR, Kaufman DB, Odorico JS, Sollinger HW. Enteric conversion after bladder-drained pancreas transplantation is not associated with worse allograft survival. Am J Transplant 2019; 19:2543-2549. [PMID: 30838785 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In the early experience of pancreas transplantation, bladder drainage was favored, but it often caused urologic, metabolic, and infectious complications that necessitated conversion to enteric drainage. Long-term graft survival after enteric conversion and the impact of time interval from transplantation to enteric conversion on graft survival is poorly understood. We studied all bladder-drained first-time pancreas transplantations performed at the University of Wisconsin from 1985 to 2000. Time to conversion was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier technique, whereas risk factors associated with conversion were estimated via a time-varying Cox proportional hazards model. Of 386 bladder-drained pancreata, 162 (41.9%) eventually required enteric conversion, 29 (17.9%) within the first year. Median time to conversion varied by indication: 0.68 years for surgical, 3.1 years for urologic, and 2.7 years for metabolic disorders. In a time-varying Cox model adjusting for donor and recipient factors, enteric conversion did not affect the risk of pancreas graft loss (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, P = .26). Kidney survival was not associated with enteric conversion. When necessary due to symptoms or complications, enteric conversion of bladder-drained pancreata is safe and does not affect overall graft survival. This relationship appears to be true no matter when the conversion is performed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Nick Zaborek
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Robert R Redfield
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Dixon B Kaufman
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jon S Odorico
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hans W Sollinger
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Bababekov YJ, Hung YC, Rickert CG, Njoku FC, Cao B, Adler JT, Brega AG, Pomposelli JJ, Chang DC, Yeh H. Health Literacy Burden Is Associated With Access to Liver Transplantation. Transplantation 2019; 103:522-528. [PMID: 30431496 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Getting listed for liver transplantation is a complex process. Institutional health literacy may influence the ability of patients with limited educational attainment (EA) to list. As an easily accessible indicator of institutional health literacy, we measured the understandability of liver transplant center education websites and assessed whether there was any association with the percentage of low EA patients on their waitlists. METHODS Patients on the waitlist for liver transplantation 2007-2016 were identified in Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Understandability of patient education websites was assessed using the Clear Communication Index (CCI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set itself a goal CCI of 90 as being easy to understand. Low EA was defined as less than a high school education. We adjusted for center case-mix, Donor Service Area characteristics, and EA of the general population. RESULTS Patients (84 774) were listed across 112 liver transplant centers. The median percent of waitlisted patients at each center with low EA was 11.0% (IQR, 6.6-16.8). CCI ranged from 53 to 88 and correlated with the proportion of low EA patients on the waitlist. However, CCI was not associated with the percentage of low EA in the general population. For every 1-point improvement in CCI, low EA patients increase by 0.2% (P < 0.05), translating to a 3.6% increase, or additional 3000 patients, if all centers improved their websites to CCI of 90. CONCLUSIONS Educational websites that are easier to understand are associated with increased access to liver transplantation for patients with low EA. Lowering the health literacy burden by transplant centers may improve access to the liver transplant waitlist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanik J Bababekov
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ya-Ching Hung
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Charles G Rickert
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Faith C Njoku
- University of California, Irvine Medical School, Irvine, CA
| | - Bonnie Cao
- University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, NY
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Angela G Brega
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO
| | | | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Michelakos T, Xourafas D, Qadan M, Pieretti-Vanmarcke R, Cai L, Patel MS, Adler JT, Fontan F, Basit U, Vagefi PA, Elias N, Tanabe KK, Berger D, Yeh H, Markmann JF, Chang DC, Ferrone CR. Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Transplantable Child-Pugh A Cirrhotics: Should Cost Affect Resection vs Transplantation? J Gastrointest Surg 2019; 23:1135-1142. [PMID: 30218342 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-018-3946-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no consensus regarding the optimal surgical treatment for transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with well-compensated cirrhosis. Our aim was to compare outcomes between Child-Pugh A (CPA) cirrhotics who underwent liver resection or transplantation for HCC. METHODS Clinicopathologic data were retrospectively collected for all surgically treated HCC patients between 7/1992 and 12/2015. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the time of operation or diagnosis (intention-to-treat analysis including patients removed from the transplant list). The average overall cost including pre-operative and post-operative procedures was calculated for each group. RESULTS Of the 513 surgically treated HCC patients, 184 had CPA cirrhosis and fulfilled the Milan criteria (MC). Of those, 95 (52%) were resected and 89 (48%) were transplanted. Twenty-two patients were removed from the transplant list. Transplanted patients were younger (p < 0.001), had a higher MELD score (p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of hepatitis C (p < 0.001). Length of stay and postoperative complication rates were similar between groups. DFS was longer for transplanted patients (3-, 5-, and 10-year DFS rates 48, 44, 31% vs 96, 94, 94%, respectively, p < 0.001). OS was similar between groups (3-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates 76, 62, 41% vs 82, 77, 53%, respectively, p = 0.07). Only size of greatest lesion and T stage were independent predictors of OS. The cost was much higher for the transplant group, even when accounting for the treatment of recurrences ($37,391 vs $137,996). CONCLUSIONS Since OS is similar between CPA cirrhotics within the MC undergoing resection or transplantation for HCC, but cost is significantly higher for transplantation. Resection should be considered for first-line treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Dimitrios Xourafas
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Motaz Qadan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Rafael Pieretti-Vanmarcke
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Madhukar S Patel
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fermin Fontan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Usama Basit
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Parsia A Vagefi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA.,Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Nahel Elias
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Kenneth K Tanabe
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - David Berger
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - James F Markmann
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114-3117, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Henderson ML, Adler JT, Van Pilsum Rasmussen SE, Thomas AG, Herron PD, Waldram MM, Ruck JM, Purnell TS, DiBrito SR, Holscher CM, Haugen CE, Alimi Y, Konel JM, Eno AK, Garonzik Wang JM, Gordon EJ, Lentine KL, Schaffer RL, Cameron AM, Segev DL. How Should Social Media Be Used in Transplantation? A Survey of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Transplantation 2019; 103:573-580. [PMID: 29684002 PMCID: PMC6196114 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media platforms are increasingly used in surgery and have shown promise as effective tools to promote deceased donation and expand living donor transplantation. There is a growing need to understand how social media-driven communication is perceived by providers in the field of transplantation. METHODS We surveyed 299 members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons about their use of, attitudes toward, and perceptions of social media and analyzed relationships between responses and participant characteristics. RESULTS Respondents used social media to communicate with: family and friends (76%), surgeons (59%), transplant professionals (57%), transplant recipients (21%), living donors (16%), and waitlisted candidates (15%). Most respondents (83%) reported using social media for at least 1 purpose. Although most (61%) supported sharing information with transplant recipients via social media, 42% believed it should not be used to facilitate living donor-recipient matching. Younger age (P = 0.02) and fewer years of experience in the field of transplantation (P = 0.03) were associated with stronger belief that social media can be influential in living organ donation. Respondents at transplant centers with higher reported use of social media had more favorable views about sharing information with transplant recipients (P < 0.01), increasing awareness about deceased organ donation (P < 0.01), and advertising for transplant centers (P < 0.01). Individual characteristics influence opinions about the role and clinical usefulness of social media. CONCLUSIONS Transplant center involvement and support for social media may influence clinician perceptions and practices. Increasing use of social media among transplant professionals may provide an opportunity to deliver high-quality information to patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Macey L. Henderson
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Acute and Chronic Care, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
| | - Joel T. Adler
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Alvin G. Thomas
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Madeleine M. Waldram
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jessica M. Ruck
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Tanjala S. Purnell
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sandra R. DiBrito
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Christine E. Haugen
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Yewande Alimi
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jonathan M. Konel
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ann K. Eno
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Elisa J. Gordon
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Krista L. Lentine
- Center for Abdominal Transplantation, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Andrew M. Cameron
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Dorry L. Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Cao B, Adler JT, Bababekov YJ, Markmann JF, Chang DC, Yeh H. Pediatric kidney transplantation and mortality: Distance to transplant center matters. Pediatr Transplant 2018; 22. [PMID: 29316061 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Distance from pediatric kidney transplant centers may be a significant barrier in accessing care for patients and families, particularly due to the lower number of pediatric kidney transplant centers compared with the number of adult centers. We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to determine the effect of distance on pediatric kidney transplant waitlist outcomes. We found that distance did not play a role in the likelihood of transplantations for patients who were placed on the waitlist. However, living a greater distance from the transplant center was associated with a greater risk of death while on the waitlist. Larger volume centers attracted patients from greater distances, many of whom had other centers closer to their home. Further investigation on the role of distance to transplant center and the likelihood of being evaluated and listed for a kidney transplant would elucidate whether there are additional barriers these patients face.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Cao
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yanik J Bababekov
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James F Markmann
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bababekov YJ, Cao B, Njoku FC, Hung YC, Adler JT, Pomposelli JJ, Chang DC, Yeh H. Readability of Patient Education Websites of Liver Transplant Centers - a Barrier to the Waitlist? J Am Coll Surg 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.07.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
49
|
Adler JT, Yeh H, Barbesino G, Lubitz CC. Reassessing risks and benefits of living kidney donors with a history of thyroid cancer. Clin Transplant 2017; 31. [DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T. Adler
- Division of Transplant Surgery; Department of Surgery; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Division of Transplant Surgery; Department of Surgery; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
| | - Giuseppe Barbesino
- Division of Endocrinology; Department of Medicine; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
| | - Carrie C. Lubitz
- Division of Surgical Oncology; Department of Surgery; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Adler JT, Bababekov YJ, Markmann JF, Chang DC, Yeh H. Distance is associated with mortality on the waitlist in pediatric liver transplantation. Pediatr Transplant 2017; 21. [PMID: 27804189 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The distance to liver transplant centers affects outcomes in adult liver transplantation. Because pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable, we hypothesized that distance adversely affects the time to transplantation and waitlist mortality. The SRTR was queried for isolated pediatric liver transplant registrants (under age 18) with valid ZIP code information from 2003 to 2012. Distance was measured from home ZIP code to listing transplant center. Competing events analysis, adjusted for demographic factors, indication, and PELD, was undertaken for transplantation and death while on the waitlist. The median distance to listing transplant center for 6924 children was 65 (IQR 17.5-189) miles. Median distance traveled increased by listing volume (73.9 vs 33.8 miles, highest vs lowest volume quartile, P<.001 for trend) and varied across the country. Longer distance was not associated with time to transplantation (HR 0.99, longest vs shortest distance quartile, P=.80), but was associated with increased mortality (HR 1.75, P<.001). Larger centers attract patients from a distance, while smaller centers serve local populations. Increasing distance is associated with a higher risk of waitlist death, which may reflect decreased access to specialist and tertiary care associated with a transplant center.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yanik J Bababekov
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James F Markmann
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|