Simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation in type 1 diabetes

The outcome of simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplantation in type 1 diabetes has dramatically improved in recent years because of optimized surgical techniques and new immunosuppressive drug regimens. Normoglycemia is followed by stabilization or even regression of diabetic lesions, i.e., of heart and kidneys. However, these effects are only visible after more than five yr of normoglycemia (achieved by a functioning allograft). This is also a likely explanation for the conflicting results of studies that investigated patient or kidney graft survival in SPK transplantation compared to kidney transplantation alone. Most studies had too short follow-up periods, i.e., less than five yr, to compare effectively different transplant strategies in patients with type 1 diabetes and therefore failed to discover a survival benefit in favor of simultaneously transplanted patients. Recent data now indicate that, with a longer follow-up, there is an increasing survival benefit for simultaneously transplanted patients compared to patients who received a single kidney transplant. This is paralleled by the comparison of simultaneously transplanted patients to patients who received a single kidney transplant from a living donor. A survival benefit for the combined procedure was here visible after  10 yr of follow-up. We give a short overview on SPK transplantation, with a focus on the effects of this procedure on diabetic complications as well as patient and kidney graft survival.     

肾移植联合成人胰岛细胞移植治疗糖尿病肾病七例报告

目的 建立新型成人胰岛细胞分离纯化方法和无激素免疫抑制方案.观察.肾移植联合胰岛细胞移植治疗1型糖尿病肾病的安全性与有效性.方法 全氟化碳液与威斯康星大学器官保存液双层冷藏胰腺,Liberase酶消化,COBE 2991型专用胰岛细胞分离机分离及连续密度梯度纯化,获取高纯度与高活性的胰岛细胞.常规方法行尸体肾移植,次El采用外科方法将短期培养的胰岛细胞经门静脉移植到肝脏内,采用无激素免疫抑制治疗.术后定期监测血糖与胰岛素用量、C肽与糖化血红蛋白水平以及肝肾功能.结果 23个胰腺均成功分离胰岛细胞,平均数量30万胰岛当量(IEQ)、纯度92%、活率95%、刺激指数3.16,病原学结果均阴性.7例1型糖尿病肾病患者共行胰岛细胞移植12次(移植1次3例、2次3例、3次1例).每次移植胰岛数量平均为11 820 IEQ/kg.采用阿来佐单抗诱导、西罗莫司和小剂量他克莫司、无激素免疫抑制治疗.随访1.5～3.0年,4例完全撤除胰岛素,3例胰岛素用量较术前减少＞70%.术后血糖稳定维持在正常水平,C肽均＞0.166nmol/L,糖化血红蛋白正常,肝肾功能正常.结论 新型成人胰岛细胞分离纯化方法可靠,胰岛细胞联合肾移植治疗1型糖尿病肾病安全、有效.     

Metabolic outcomes and renal function after simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplantation compared with kidney transplantation alone for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

In this study, we aimed to compare the metabolic outcomes, renal function, and survival outcomes of simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) and kidney transplantation alone (KTA) among end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with ESKD and T2DM who underwent KTA (n = 85) or SPK (n = 71) in a transplant center were retrospectively reviewed. Metabolic profiles, renal function, and survival outcomes were assessed repeatedly at different follow-up time points. Propensity score procedures were applied to enhance between-group comparability. The levels of renal and metabolic outcomes between SPK and KTA over time were examined and analyzed using mixed-model repeated-measures approaches. The median follow-up period was 1.8 years. Compared with KTA, SPK resulted in superior metabolic outcomes and renal function, with lower levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; P = 0.0055), fasting blood glucose (P < 0.001), triglyceride (P = 0.015), cholesterol (P = 0.0134), low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.0161), and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; P < 0.001). SPK provided better metabolic outcomes and renal function. The survival outcomes of the recipients and grafts were comparable between the two groups.     

Recurrence of type 1 diabetes after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation in the absence of GAD and IA-2 autoantibodies

We report herein the patterns of type 1 diabetes recurrence in a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) recipient, in the absence of rejection. A 38-year-old female underwent SPK for end-stage nephropathy secondary to type 1 diabetes. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, fructosamine, C-peptide and autoantibodies (GAD-65, IA-2) were monitored throughout follow-up. At 3.5 years post-SPK, HbA1c and fructosamine increased sharply, indicating loss of perfect metabolic control, despite C-peptide levels in the normal-high range. Exogenous insulin was restarted 4 months later. C-peptide levels abruptly fell and became undetectable at 5.5 years. Autoantibody levels, which were undetectable at the time of SPK, never converted to positivity. Pancreas retranspantation was performed at 6 years. The failed pancreas graft had a normal macroscopic appearance. On histology, there were no signs of cellular or humoral rejection in the kidney or pancreas. A selective peri-islet lymphocytic infiltrate was observed, together with near-total destruction of β cells. At 2.5 years post retransplantation, pancreatic graft function is perfect. This observation indicates unequivocally that pancreas graft can be lost to recurrence of type 1 diabetes in the absence of rejection. GAD-65 and IA-2 autoantibodies are not reliable markers of autoimmunity recurrence.     

胰肾联合移植治疗1型糖尿病合并终末期肾病1例报告并文献复习

目的探讨胰肾联合移植治疗糖尿病合并终末期肾病的手术方式及移植效果。方法对1例1型糖尿病合并糖尿病肾病、尿毒症患者施行胰肾联合移植手术,将肾脏移植于左侧髂窝,胰腺移植于右侧髂窝,胰腺移植采用胰腺外分泌肠道引流、内分泌体循环系统回流的术式(肠道-体循环回流术式);术后常规给予免疫抑制、防治感染、支持等治疗。结果受者手术顺利。联合移植后胰、肾均发挥正常功能,血清肌酐逐渐恢复正常水平,血糖趋于稳定,第14日完全停用胰岛素及降糖药物。无严重手术并发症发生,受者健康存活,门诊随访移植胰腺、肾脏功能正常。结论胰肾联合移植是治疗1型糖尿病合并终末期肾病的理想方法 。     

Quality of life following organ transplantation

Organ transplantation is a procedure that can save and prolong the life of individuals with end-stage heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas and small bowel diseases. The goal of transplantation is not only to ensure their survival, but also to offer patients the sort of health they enjoyed before the disease, achieving a good balance between the functional efficacy of the graft and the patient's psychological and physical integrity. Quality of life (QoL) assessments are used to evaluate the physical, psychological and social domains of health, seen as distinct areas that are influenced by a person's experiences, beliefs, expectations and perceptions, and QoL is emerging as a new medical indicator in transplantation medicine too. This review considers changes in overall QoL after organ transplantation, paying special attention to living donor transplantation, pediatric transplantation and particular aspects of QoL after surgery, e.g. sexual function, pregnancy, schooling, sport and work.     

胰十二指肠及肾一期联合移植三例体会

报告３例Ⅰ型糖尿病并发尿毒症患者接受全胰十二指肠及肾一期联合移植，术后术移植胰及肾功能恢复良好，停用胰岛素后，停用胰岛素后，血肌酐、尿素氮降至正常。本组其中２例胰肾有功能存活分别为３年和２年。例３因移植肾急性排斥，多器官衰竭于术后第２２天死亡。作者认为胰肾一期联合移植可同时纠正糖尿病和尿毒症。     

1型糖尿病患儿体力活动及心理状况与生活质量的相关性

目的探讨1型糖尿病患儿体力活动水平、心理状况与生活质量的关系,为针对性干预提供参考。方法分别选取1型糖尿病患儿68例(糖尿病组)及同龄健康儿童54例(对照组),采用体力活动水平儿童问卷(PAQ-C)、儿童抑郁量表(CDI)、焦虑相关情绪障碍问卷(SCARED)、儿童生活质量普适性核心量表4.0(PedsQL TM4.0)进行调查。结果糖尿病组抑郁、焦虑得分显著高于对照组,生活质量总分、生理及社会功能维度得分显著低于对照组(均P0.01);体力活动与生活质量总分、生理、社会功能维度呈显著正相关(均P0.05),焦虑、HbA1c水平分别与生活质量总分、生理、社会功能维度呈显著负相关(均P0.05)。结论 1型糖尿病患儿生活质量显著低于同龄健康儿童,其生活质量与体力活动水平、焦虑以及HbA1c控制有关。应加强患儿血糖及负性情绪的控制,适时运动,以提高生活质量,从而更好地控制病情。     

Kidney transplantation in type 2 diabetic patients: a comparison with matched non-diabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Because they generally are older and frequently have co-morbidities, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease seldom are selected for renal transplantation. Thus, information on transplantation results from controlled studies in this high-risk category of patients is scarce. We have compared the results of kidney transplantations in type 2 diabetic patients with carefully matched non-diabetic subjects. METHODS: All first cadaveric renal transplants performed in type 2 diabetic patients from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1998 in our centre were included. Non-diabetic controls were individually matched with diabetic patients with respect to year of transplantation, sex, age, selected immunological parameters, and graft cold ischaemia. RESULTS: We included 64 type 2 diabetic and 64 non-diabetic patients who were followed for a mean period of 37+/-27 and 41+/-31 months, respectively, after renal transplantation. Patient survival at 1 and 5 years post-transplant was 85 and 69 vs 84 and 74% (P=0.43, NS), while graft survival rates censored for patient death were 84 and 77 vs 82 and 77% for diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, respectively (P=0.52, NS). With graft survival results not censored for death with functioning graft, no significant change was seen (diabetic vs non-diabetic group: 77 and 54 vs 73 and 61%, P=0.19, NS). Age, but not the presence of diabetes, was the only factor significantly affecting patient survival when both patient groups were pooled. With regard to post-transplant complications requiring hospitalization, there was a significant difference only in the number of patients who had amputations (diabetic vs non-diabetic group: 8 vs 0, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation was similar in type 2 diabetic and matched non-diabetic subjects, with more amputations occurring in the diabetic group. Thus, at a single-centre level renal transplantation results almost equivalent to those in non-diabetic patients may be achieved in type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Hydration status of patients with end-stage renal disease after kidney transplantation

Gueutin V, Ficheux M, Châtelet V, Lecouf A, Henri P, Hurault de Ligny B, Ryckelynck J‐P, Lobbedez T. Hydration status of patients with end‐stage renal disease after kidney transplantation.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E656–E663. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: This study was carried out to estimate the modification of hydration status within the first three months of renal transplantation. Subjects and methods: Fifty patients who underwent a first kidney allograft were prospectively followed for three months after renal transplantation to assess hydration status by bioimpedance spectroscopy. Results: Two hours before the transplant procedure, 10/42 (23.8%) patients were overhydrated. Two days after surgery, 32/40 (80.0%) patients were overhydrated and at three months, 14/27 (51.9%) patients remained fluid‐overloaded. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients had a lower hydration status (?0.60 L) than hemodialysis (HD) patients (0.70 L; p < 0.05) and better residual diuresis (41.7 vs. 8.3 mL/h for HD patients, p < 0.01). Compared with patients who had a delayed graft function (DGF) or a slow graft function (SGF), the immediate graft function (IGF) group had a better hydration status before transplantation (p = 0.031). At three months, 12/14 of the overhydrated patients had a creatinine clearance between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m². Conclusion: Patients receiving a first kidney transplant frequently have a hydration disorder. Transplantation is associated with increased hydration status, which seems to persist if DGF or SGF occurs.     

Combined pancreas and kidney transplantation improves survival in patients with end-stage diabetic nephropathy

The purpose of this study was to find out whether prolonged normoglycemia, as achieved by a successful pancreas transplantation, can improve survival in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A retrospective analysis of actual 10-yr patient survival rates was done for all renal graft recipients who were given transplants more than 10 yr ago but within the cyclosporin era (i.e. 1981-1988). The actual 10-yr patient survival rate in non-diabetic renal graft recipients was 72%, In recipients of pancreas and kidney grafts and with prolonged function of the pancreas graft, the survival rate was 60%, whereas in patients subjected to simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation, but where the pancreatic grafts failed within 2 yr, the survival rate was 33%. In diabetic recipients of kidney transplants alone, the survival rate was 37%. The patient survival rate was substantially higher in non-diabetic patients and patients with functioning pancreas grafts compared with diabetic patients with kidney transplants alone or with failed pancreas grafts. We speculate that the decrease in mortality was due to the beneficial effect of long-term normoglycemia on diabetic late complications.     

Islet transplantation as safe and efficacious method to restore glycemic control and to avoid severe hypoglycemia after donor organ failure in pancreas transplantation

The aim of this study was to assess safety and efficacy of islet transplantation after initial pancreas transplantation with subsequent organ failure. Patients undergoing islet transplantation at our institution after pancreas organ failure were compared to a control group of patients with pancreas graft failure, but without islet transplantation and to a group receiving pancreas retransplantation. Ten patients underwent islet transplantation after initial pancreas transplantation failed and were followed for a median of 51 months. The primary end point of HbA1c <7.0% and freedom of severe hypoglycemia was met by nine of 10 patients after follow‐up after islet transplantation and in all three patients in the pancreas retransplantation group, but by none of the patients in the group without retransplantation (n = 7). Insulin requirement was reduced by 50% after islet transplantation. Kidney function (eGFR) declined with a rate of ‐1.0 mL ± 1.2 mL/min/1.73 m² per year during follow‐up after islet transplantation, which tended to be slower than in the group without retransplantation (P = .07). Islet transplantation after deceased donor pancreas transplant failure is a method that can safely improve glycemic control and reduce the incidence of severe hypoglycemia and thus establish similar glycemic control as after initial pancreas transplantation, despite the need of additional exogenous insulin.     

Outcome after renal transplantation. Part II: Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment

Knowledge of health-related quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial adjustment (PA) in children after renal transplantation (RTPL) is limited. QOL and PA were evaluated by standardized tests in patients after RTPL. Thirty-seven children of median age 14.5 years (range 6.5-17 years) were investigated a mean 4.5 years (range 0.5-12.8 years) after RTPL. Child- and parent-rated QOL was evaluated with the Child Quality of life Questionnaire of The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research Academical Medical Centre (TNO-AZL). PA was assessed by the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) providing parental reports of a child's behaviour. In patients' self-ratings, the QOL dimension physical complaints (P < 0.0005) scored significantly better than that of healthy controls, whereas the dimension positive emotional functioning was impaired (P = 0.02). Parents rated motor functioning (P = 0.002), autonomy (P = 0.01), cognition (P = 0.04) and positive emotions (P < 0.0005) as significantly impaired. Parents also assessed PA significantly (P = 0.02) impaired with regard to internalizing behaviour. Dialysis duration, young age at RTPL, living-related donation, steroid treatment, adverse family relationships and maternal distress had a significantly negative impact on QOL and PA (P < 0.05). Patients rated QOL higher than did healthy controls. Parents evaluated their children's QOL and PA more pessimistically than did the patients themselves. Both illness-related variables and family environment played an important role.     

Predictors of health-related quality of life in hypertensive recipients following renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improves after renal transplantation. However, it is unclear which variables are the strongest determinants of HRQoL following renal transplantation. In this study, we wanted to assess whether antihypertensive medication, donor type, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatibility or other variables could predict HRQoL 6-12 months after transplantation. METHODS: The study was a follow up of 124 patients recruited to a single center, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, comparing the effects of lisinopril and nifedipine in hypertensive renal transplant recipients. HRQoL was assessed with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between potential predictors and the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scales of the SF-36. RESULTS: Average scores 6-12 months after transplantation did not differ between patients randomized to lisinopril or nifedipine, or between cadaveric and living donor recipients on any of the eight SF-36 scales, or the two summary scales. In multivariate analyses, recipient age (p = 0.01) and cold ischemia time >14.5 h (p = 0.04) were independent predictors of the PCS score. Recipient age (p = 0.05), 2-4 HLA-AB mismatches (p = 0.05) and donor age (p = 0.03) were independent predictors of the MCS score. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of differences in HRQoL according to lisinopril or nifedipine, or living vs. cadaveric donor transplantation. HRQoL was significantly reduced with longer cold ischemia time and more than one HLA-AB mismatches, after adjusting for age. These donor kidneys related issues need confirmation.     

Quality of life of adolescents with end-stage renal disease and kidney transplant

The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adolescents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is an important marker of disease burden. Our aims were to investigate HRQOL in a group of children and adolescents with ESRD and to compare them with the reference population norms. Ours was a cross-sectional study of 81 patients aged 10 years to 21 years with ESRD (68 with kidney transplants and 13 on dialysis) at five Spanish paediatric nephrology centres. HRQOL was investigated with the Spanish version of the child health and illness profile, adolescent edition (CHIP-AE). Clinical variables such as underlying diagnosis, number of rejection episodes, pre-emptive transplantation, anaemia and height were also analysed. No differences were found between patients with kidney transplants and their healthy peers in any domain or sub-domain of CHIP-AE. The group on dialysis scored lower than healthy controls and patients with transplants for satisfaction with health. Discomfort was higher in patients with transplants who had suffered one rejection episode. Physical discomfort was increased in anaemic patients with transplants. Short patients scored less in the satisfaction domain, with lower self-esteem and lower satisfaction with health. Adolescents with kidney transplants had better satisfaction with health than the group on dialysis, which matched the level of a healthy population. Further long-term prospective research is warranted. The work was carried out at the Divisions of Paediatric Nephrology of the following hospitals in Spain: Central de Asturias (Oviedo), Clínico de Santiago, Infantil La Paz (Madrid), Miguel Servet (Zaragoza) and Cruces (Bilbao)     

Quality of life in children with end-stage renal disease undergoing renal replacement therapy: a cross-sectional survey

Objective To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of children with uremia who underwent renal replacement therapy (RRT) and identify the influencing factors for QOL in order to improve the QOL of children with uremia. Methods Children with ESRD who underwent dialysis or kidney transplantation (KT) at Children's Hospital of Fudan University between November 2016 and October 2017 were enrolled. The children and/or their parents completed and returned the Pediatric QOL Inventory Measurement Models (PedsQLTM) 4.0 questionnaire. Moreover, the clinical data of these children were collected. According to the way of RRT, children were divided into dialysis group and KT group. The differences of scores between two groups were compared. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the QOL of children. Results A total of 79 children undergoing RRT were enrolled. Among them, 48 cases in the dialysis group and 31 cases in the KT group. For children in KT group, the total PedsQL scores of child-self and parent-proxy assessment were higher than those in dialysis group (P＜0.05). The total scores for the QOL of child-self and parent-proxy assessment were roughly the same for KT children (P＞0.05). The total scores for the QOL of child-self and parent-proxy assessment were different for dialysis children (P=0.05). Short stature (height＜3th percentile) and elevated left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were the independent influencing factors for the QOL of child-self and parent-proxy assessment in children undergoing KT, respectively (B=12.162, t=2.681, P＜0.05; B=-0.240, t=-4.276, P＜0.01). Conclusions QOL was higher in children undergoing KT than those on dialysis. Short stature and elevated LVMI were the independent influencing factors for QOL in children undergoing KT.     

Quality of life in patients with toe-to-hand transplantation

Abstract

Objective: Toe-to-hand transplantation is a reliable procedure that replaces like-with-like in cases of a lost thumb or finger. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of toe transplantation on patients from the perspectives of quality of life (QOL) and disability. Methods: Ten patients with traumatic amputation of a digit underwent reconstruction with toe transplantation. The mean age at injury was 40.2?years (range 17–59?years). Reconstructive options were 5 wrap-around flaps to 2 thumbs and 3 index fingers; 2?second-toe transplantations to 2 middle fingers, and 3 hemipulp-free flaps from the great toe to a thumb and an index finger. We hypothesized that toe transplantation would improve postoperative QOL and disability. Outcome assessments included completion of the SF-36, SAFE-Q, and DASH questionnaires before and after reconstruction. Scores on each test were calculated and intra-individual comparisons were made. Results: All scores for the eight SF-36 health domains improved, with a significant difference in Vitality from before to after surgery. In contrast, scores for all five SAFE-Q items worsened, with significant changes for the ‘Pain and Pain-Related’ and ‘Physical Functioning and Daily Living’ subscales. DASH scores improved after surgery in all cases. Conclusions: Our results suggest that toe-to-hand transplantation for amputated finger reconstruction is a good option in terms of improved QOL. However, worsened SAFE-Q scores imply that donor site problems could be expected and must be taken into account during surgical planning.