Graft loss and acute coronary syndromes after renal transplantation in the United States

The impact of graft loss on acute coronary syndromes (ACS) after renal transplantation has not been studied in a national population. It was hypothesized that ACS might be more frequent after graft loss, as many of the benefits of a functioning allograft on metabolism and volume regulation would be lost. Data from the 2000 United States Renal Data System (USRDS) was used to conduct an historical cohort study of ACS in 14,237 patients who received renal transplants between April 1, 1995, and June 30, 1998, (followed until April 28, 2000) with valid information from CMS Form 2728, excluding patients with hospitalized ACS before renal transplant. Cox nonproportional regression models were used to calculate the time-dependent adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of graft loss (censored for death) for time-to-first hospitalization for ACS (International Classification of Diseases 9th Modification Diagnosis Codes [ICD9] code 410.x or 411.x) occurring after transplant. The incidence of ACS was 12.1 per 1000 patient-years (PY) in patients after graft loss versus 6.5 per 1000 PY after transplantation (excluding patients with graft loss). As a time-dependent variable, graft loss had an AHR of 2.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 5.96; P = 0.031 by Cox regression). Other risk factors associated with ACS included diabetes, older recipient, and male recipient. Allograft rejection was NS. Renal transplant recipients share some of the risk factors for ACS with the general population. In addition, graft loss was identified as a unique risk factor for ACS in this population.     

Hospitalized avascular necrosis after renal transplantation in the United States

BACKGROUND: The national incidence of and risk factors for hospitalized avascular necrosis (AVN) in renal transplant recipients has not been reported. METHODS: This historical cohort study consisted of 42,096 renal transplant recipients enrolled in the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) between 1 July 1994 and 30 June 1998. The data source was USRDS files through May 2000. Associations with hospitalizations for a primary diagnosis of AVN (ICD-9 codes 733.4x) within three years after renal transplant were assessed in an intention-to-treat design by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Recipients had a cumulative incidence of 7.1 episodes/1000 person-years from 1994 to 1998. The two-year incidence of AVN did not change significantly over time. Eighty-nine percent of the cases of AVN were due to AVN of the hip (733.42) and 60.2% of patients with AVN underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA); these percentages did not change significantly over time. In the Cox regression analysis, an earlier year of transplant, African American race [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33 to 2.03], allograft rejection (AHR 1.67, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.07), peritoneal dialysis (vs. hemodialysis; AHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.81), and diabetes (AHR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.64) were the only factors independently associated with hospitalizations for AVN. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AVN did not decline significantly over time in the renal transplant population. Patients with allograft rejection, African American race, peritoneal dialysis and earlier date of transplant were at the highest risk of AVN, while diabetic recipients were at a decreased risk.     

Hepatitis C, acute humoral rejection, and renal allograft survival

The effect of recipient hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on renal allograft loss and acute rejection in kidney transplantation remains controversial. We studied 354 renal allograft recipients transplanted during 1996 to 2001 who had HCV antibodies (Ab) measured before transplantation. The primary outcome was death-censored allograft loss and the secondary outcome was acute humoral rejection (AHR). Compared with HCV Ab-negative patients, those with positive HCV Ab had longer time on dialysis before transplantation, higher percentage of panel-reactive antibodies (PRA), were more likely to receive a cadaveric transplant, and were more likely to develop delayed graft function (DGF). In univariate analyses, predictors of renal allograft loss included HCV, cadaveric graft, PRA >20%, HLA mismatch > or =5, retransplantation, DGF, induction therapy, and AHR. When adjusted for PRA >20%, HLA mismatch > or =5, and multiple transplant status, HCV was not a statistically significant predictor of allograft loss. HCV was also associated with AHR but lost significance when adjusted for PRA >20%. HCV Ab-positive patients were more likely to have longer duration of dialysis before transplantation prior to kidney transplants, higher PRA, and to receive cadaveric transplants. These characteristics likely resulted in more DGF and AHR after transplantation. After adjusting for these confounding factors, the association between HCV Ab positivity and renal allograft loss was notably attenuated and no longer statistically significant.     

HBsAg Seropositive Status and Survival After Renal Transplantation: Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after renal transplantation (RT) remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review of the published medical literature on the impact of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity on survival of RT recipients. We used the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird to generate a summary estimate of the relative risk for mortality and graft loss in HBsAg positive RT recipients across the published studies. We identified six observational studies (6050 unique patients); all of them being cohort, retrospective studies. Pooling of study results demonstrated that HBsAg in serum was an independent and significant risk factor for death after RT; the summary estimate for relative risk was 2.49 with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.64-3.78. A test for homogeneity of the relative risk across the studies gave a p-value of <0.0001. HBsAg seropositivity was an independent and significant risk factor for graft failure after RT; the summary estimate was 1.44 with a 95% CI of 1.02-2.04 (homogeneity test, p <0.0001). This meta-analysis shows that HBsAg positive RT recipients have an increased risk for mortality and graft failure compared to seronegative patients.     

Risk Factors for Hospitalization for Bacterial or Viral Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients—An Analysis of USRDS Data

We previously showed that children are more likely to develop viral infections post-kidney transplant while adults are more likely to develop bacterial infections. In this study we determined the overall risk factors for hospitalization with either a bacterial (HBI) or a viral infection (HVI). We analyzed data from 28 924 United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Medicare primary renal transplant recipients from January 1996 to July 2000, for adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) for HBI or HVI in the first 3 years posttransplant.For HVI, significantly higher AHR was seen with (a) recipient age <18 years (AHR 1.57, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.42), (b) donor CMV positive (AHR 1.72, 95% CI = 1.34, 2.19). For HBI, significantly higher AHR was seen with (i) delayed graft function (AHR 1.28, 95% CI = 1.076, 1.518), (ii) primary renal diagnosis chronic pyelonephritis (AHR 1.71, 95% CI = 1.18, 2.49); (iii) associated pretransplant diabetes (AHR 1.80, 95% CI = 1.53, 2.12); (iv) female gender AHR 1.63, 95% CI = 1.41, 1.88). Lower AHR for HVI was seen in CMV-positive recipients and for HBI with more recent year of transplant. Other covariates did not impact significantly in either HVI or HBI.     

Impact of renal transplantation on survival in end-stage renal disease patients with elevated body mass index

BACKGROUND: Cadaveric renal transplantation is associated with a survival advantage compared with dialysis patients remaining on the renal transplantation waiting list, but this advantage has not been confirmed in obese end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS: Using data from the USRDS, we studied 7521 patients who presented with ESRD from 1 April 1995 to 29 June 1999 and later enrolled on the renal transplantation waiting list with body mass indices (BMI) >or=30 kg/m(2) at the time of presentation to ESRD, and followed until 6 November 2000. Recipients of preemptive renal transplantation or organs other than kidneys were excluded. Cox non-proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate adjusted, time-dependent hazard ratios (HR) for time to death in a given patient during the study period, controlling for renal transplantation, demographics and comorbidities (Form 2728). RESULTS: The incidence of mortality was 3.3 episodes per 100 patient-years (PY) in cadaveric renal transplantation and 1.9/100 PY in living donor renal transplantation compared with 6.6 episodes/100 PY in all patients on the transplant waiting list. In comparison to maintenance dialysis, both recipients of solitary cadaveric kidneys (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.47), and recipients of living donor kidneys (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.34) had statistically significant improved survival. A benefit of cadaveric renal transplantation did not apply to patients with BMI >or=41 kg/m(2) (HR 0.47, 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.25, P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients on the renal transplant waiting list had a significantly lower risk of mortality after renal transplantation compared with those remaining on dialysis.     

Atrial fibrillation in renal or liver transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing renal (RT) or liver transplantation (LT) has increased during the last decades. Yet, there is still uncertainty on the association between AF and patient and graft survival.

Hospitalized gastrointestinal bleeding and procedures after renal transplantation in the United States

The risk of hospitalized gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in renal transplant recipients has not been studied in a national renal transplant population. Therefore, 42,906 renal transplant recipients in the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) from 1 July 1994 - 30 June 1998 were analyzed in an historical cohort study of hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of GIB (ICD9 Code 578.9x) using Cox regression analysis. The 1997 National Hospital Discharge Survey was used to obtain rates of GIB for the general population. Renal transplant recipients had a cumulative incidence of hospitalizations for GIB of 334 events/100,000 person-years. In 1997, compared to the general population, renal transplant recipients had an age-adjusted rate ratio for GIB of 10.69 at one year of follow-up. The strongest risk factors for GIB in Cox regression analysis were graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.28 (2.84-6.47) and African American recipients who experienced allograft rejection (AHR, 3.04, 95% CI, 1.45-6.37). GIB was associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.78, 95% CI, 1.39-2.28). GIB is significantly more common in renal transplant recipients than in the general population, and the strongest risk factors are graft loss and African Americans who experience rejection.     

The relative risk of overall graft loss and acute rejection among African American renal transplant recipients is attenuated with advancing age

Schold JD, Srinivas TR, Braun WE, Shoskes DA, Nurko S, Poggio ED. The relative risk of overall graft loss and acute rejection among African American renal transplant recipients is attenuated with advancing age.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 721–730. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Graft loss rates are elevated among African American (AA) kidney transplant recipients. This may be attributable to immunological responses, socioeconomic disparities, comorbid conditions and access to care, but it is unclear whether risks are uniform in the AA population. Methods: We utilized multivariable models with the national SRTR database for adult recipients transplanted from 2000 to 2009 (n = 112 120) to investigate whether risks of graft loss, death and acute rejection between AAs and Caucasians vary with age. Results: Relative to Caucasians, AA recipients had significantly higher risk of overall graft loss among patients aged 18–49 (AHR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.30–1.43) but comparable risk among patients aged >65 (AHR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.96–1.13). Among recipients aged 18–34, AAs had higher risk of acute rejection (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.12–1.57) but similar likelihood among recipients aged >65 (AOR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.75–1.17). Differences between race groups, as well as the relatively higher risks among younger AAs, were most pronounced following one yr post‐transplantation and diminished with presence of other risk factors. Conclusions: Elevated risks of overall graft loss and acute rejection are present among younger but not older AA kidney transplant recipients. These findings may have important implications for treatment decisions, follow‐up protocols and designation of “high‐risk” patients.     

Hospitalized valvular heart disease in patients on renal transplant waiting list: incidence,clinical correlates and outcomes

BACKGROUND: Patients with ESRD are at increased risk for heart valve calcification. It has not been established whether hospitalized valvular heart disease (VHD) is a substantial barrier to renal transplantation (RT) after transplant listing, or whether VHD progresses after RT. METHODS: Using data from the USRDS, we studied 35,215 patients with ESRD enrolled on the renal transplant waiting list from July 1994 to June 1997. Cox non-proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate adjusted, time-dependent hazard ratios (HR) for RT and VHD. RESULTS: In comparison to maintenance dialysis (2.2/1,000 person years), RT was independently associated with a lower hazard for hospitalization for VHD (0.7/1,000 person years, HR 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.17 - 0.47). Renal transplant recipients had much lower rates of VHD after transplant than before (rate ratio (RR) 0.49, 95% Cl 0.47 - 0.52). Patients with VHD were significantly less likely to receive RT (adjusted rate for RT 0.38, 95% CI 0.20 - 0.45) but patients who received valve replacement surgeries (VRS) were not affected (adjusted rate for RT 1.10, 95% CI 0.52 - 2.32, not significant). CONCLUSIONS: VHD is an uncommon but serious barrier to RT after listing, while VRS is not a significant barrier to RT. Established VHD does not appear to worsen after RT. Clinicians should consider giving increased attention to the detection and treatment of VHD during the pre-transplant evaluation.     

AZA/Tacrolimus Is Associated with Similar Outcomes as MMF/Tacrolimus among Renal Transplant Recipients

There have been several retrospective studies indicating benefits associated with mycophenalate mofetil (MMF) compared to azathioprine (AZA) for renal transplant recipients. However, these analyses evaluated outcomes prior to changes in utilization patterns of concomitant immunosuppression. Recent prospective trials have indicated similar outcomes among patients treated with MMF and AZA. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in a broad group of patients in the more recent era. We evaluated adult solitary renal transplant recipients from 1998 to 2006 with the national SRTR database. Primary outcomes were time to patient death and graft loss, complications and renal function. Models were adjusted for potential confounding factors, propensity scores and stratified between higher/lower risk transplants and concomitant immunosuppression. Adjusted models indicated a modest risk among AZA patients for graft loss (AHR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.20); however, this was not apparent among AZA patients also treated with tacrolimus (AHR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.85–1.11]. One-year acute rejection rates were reduced for patients on MMF versus AZA (10 vs. 13%, p < 0.01); there were no statistically significant differences of malignancies, renal function or BK virus at 1 year. The primary findings suggest the association of MMF with improved outcomes may not be apparent in patients also receiving tacrolimus.     

Thrombotic microangiopathy in United States long-term dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence, risk factors, recurrence rates and prognosis of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) among long-term dialysis patients in the United States have not been previously described in a national population. METHODS: 272 024 Medicare primary patients in the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) initiated on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) therapy between 1 April 1995 and 31 December 1999 with Medicare as primary payer were analysed in a retrospective cohort study of USRDS of TMA. Cox regression was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) for risk of TMA and risk of death after TMA. RESULTS: The incidence of TMA in the first year of dialysis was 0.5% overall. Among patients with renal failure due to haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), the incidence of TMA was highest in the first year of dialysis (HUS, 11.3% first year, 4.5% per year thereafter), while among patients without HUS the incidence of TMA was much lower and more constant over time (0.3% per year). In Cox regression analysis, independent risk factors for TMA were renal failure due to HUS (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 179, 95% CI 95-338), paediatric age (相似文献   

Impact of Simultaneous Kidney–Pancreas Transplant and Timing of Transplant on Kidney Allograft Survival

Since 1988 over 10 000 simultaneous cadaveric pancreas-kidney transplants (SPK) have been performed in the United States among patients with end-stage renal disease due to Type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The two aims of this study were to assess the impact on kidney allograft survival of (i) SPK versus transplantation of a kidney alone (KA), and (ii) SPK prior to versus after initiation of chronic dialysis. This retrospective, non-concurrent cohort study examined registry data collected from 8323 patients waitlisted in the United States for an SPK and transplanted with either an SPK or a KA during January 1, 1990 - October 31, 2002. SPK recipients had an adjusted hazard ratio for kidney allograft loss of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.51-0.77, p < 0.001) compared to transplantation without pancreas allograft. SPK recipients who received their allografts prior to beginning chronic dialysis had a lower rate of kidney allograft loss than SPK recipients who received their transplant after initiation of chronic dialysis (adjusted hazard rates (HR) = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.99, p = 0.042). Simultaneous transplantation of pancreas-kidney compared to kidney transplantation alone and SPK prior to the initiation of chronic dialysis compared to SPK after initiation of dialysis were both associated with longer kidney allograft survival.     

Risk factors for allograft failure in United kingdom renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine A

BACKGROUND: After the introduction of cyclosporine A (CsA), 2-year graft survival of transplanted kidneys improved from less than 60% to more than 80%, but long-term graft survival and graft half-life have shown less change. This study investigates the impact of a range of demographic and treatment factors on long-term graft survival in renal recipients treated with CsA from all renal transplant centers in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Long-Term Efficacy and Safety Surveillance study of renal transplant recipients receiving CsA (Neoral; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland). A total of 1,757 de novo patients with a functioning graft at 1 year were evaluated. The endpoints considered were the need for regular dialysis or death. A stepwise stratified Cox model was used to identify the factors associated with outcome. RESULTS: Seven independent risk factors for allograft failure were identified: older recipient (hazard ratio [HR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.6), male recipient (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7), younger donor (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5), above average creatinine (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.8), chronic allograft nephropathy (HR 7.0, 95% CI 4.7-10.4), diabetic recipient (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1), and neoplasm after transplant (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.6). CONCLUSION: Seven independent risk factors were found to influence graft survival. Only two of these can be modified by clinical intervention, elevated serum creatinine at 1 year and the occurrence of chronic allograft nephropathy. To influence these two factors, the optimization of immunosuppressive therapy is essential.     

Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Status and Survival After Renal Transplantation: Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among patients after renal transplantation (RT) remains incompletely defined. We conducted a systematic review of the published medical literature on the impact of hepatitis C antibody status on survival of patients who received RT. We used the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird to generate a summary estimate of the relative risk (RR) for mortality and graft loss with HCV seropositivity across the published studies. We identified eight clinical trials (6365 unique patients); six (75%) were cohort studies and two (2/8 = 25%) controlled trials, respectively. Pooling of study results demonstrated that presence of anti-HCV antibody was an independent and significant risk factor for death and graft failure after RT; the summary estimate for RR was 1.79 (95% CI, 1.57-2.03; homogeneity test, p = 0.0427) and 1.56 (95% CI, 1.35-1.80; homogeneity test, p = 0.0192), respectively. As a cause of death, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis were significantly more frequent among anti-HCV positive than anti-HCV negative RT patients. This meta-analysis demonstrates that RT recipients with anti-HCV antibody have an increased risk of mortality and graft failure compared with HCV antibody negative patients.     

Effect of Donor Factors on Early Graft Survival in Adult Cadaveric Renal Transplantation

Previous studies of the effect of donor factors on renal transplant outcomes have not tested the role of recipient body mass index, donor/recipient weight ratios and age matching, and other factors. We analyzed 20,309 adult (age 16 or older) recipients having solitary cadaveric renal transplants from adult donors from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1998 in an historical cohort study (the 2000 United States Renal Data System) of death censored graft loss by the Cox proportional hazards models, which corrected for characteristics thought to affect outcomes. The only independently significant findings in Cox Regression analysis were a high donor/ recipient age ratio (> or = 1.10, e.g. a 55-year-old donor given to a recipient age 50years or younger, adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 3.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.36-4.39) and African American donor kidneys (AHR 1.64, 95% CI, 1.24-2.17). African American recipients and older donors were not at independently increased risk of graft failure in this model. Among donor factors, older donor kidneys given to younger recipients and donor African American kidneys were independently associated with graft loss in recipients of cadaver kidneys. The task for the transplant community should be to find the best means for managing all donor organs without discouraging organ donation.     

Cyclosporin versus Tacrolimus as Primary Immunosuppressant After Liver Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCT) was undertaken to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of immunosuppression with cyclosporin versus tacrolimus for liver transplanted patients. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central and Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Registers were searched. Using fixed and random effects model, relative risk (RR), values <1 favoring tacrolimus, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Of 717 potentially relevant references, 16 RCTs were eligible for inclusion. Mortality and graft loss at 1 year were significantly reduced in tacrolimus-treated recipients (Death: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99; graft loss: RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61-0.86). Tacrolimus reduced the number of recipients with acute rejection (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75-0.88) and steroid-resistant rejection (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.47-0.74) in the first year. Lymphoproliferative disorder or dialysis rates were not different but more de novo diabetes (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.86) occurred with tacrolimus. More patients stopped cyclosporin than tacrolimus (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.49-0.66). Treating 100 recipients with tacrolimus instead of cyclosporin would avoid rejection and steroid-resistant rejection in nine and seven patients respectively, graft loss and death in five and two patients respectively, but four additional patients would develop diabetes after liver transplantation.     

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection Incidence in Hospitalized Renal Transplant Patients in the United States, 1998–2000

The incidence, risk factors, and prognosis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection have not been reported in a national population of renal transplant recipients. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 15,870 Medicare patients who received renal transplants from January 1, 1998 to July 31, 2000. Cox regression analysis derived adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) for factors associated with a diagnosis of MTB infection (by Medicare Institutional Claims) and the association of MTB infection with survival. There were 66 renal transplant recipients diagnosed with tuberculosis infection after transplant (2.5 cases per 1000 person years at risk, with some falling off of cases over time). The most common diagnosis was pulmonary TB (41 cases). In Cox regression analysis, only systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was independently associated with TB. Mortality after TB was diagnosed was 23% at 1 year, which was significantly higher than in renal transplant recipients without TB (AHR, 4.13, 95% CI, 2.21, 7.71, p < 0.001). Although uncommon, MTB infection is associated with a substantially increased risk of mortality after renal transplantation. High-risk groups, particularly those with SLE prior to transplant, might benefit from intensified screening.     

New-onset gout after kidney transplantation: incidence, risk factors and implications

BACKGROUND: Although cyclosporine use has been associated with an increased risk of new-onset gout after renal transplantation, the incidence and risk factors for new-onset gout have not been reported in the era of modern immunosuppression. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare primary renal transplant patients reported in the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), using Medicare claims data to determine the incidence of new-onset gout. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) for cyclosporine (including separate analysis of Neoral) compared directly with tacrolimus, for the risk of new-onset gout, adjusted for baseline demographic factors and posttransplant renal function. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of new-onset gout was 7.6% at 3 years posttransplant. The following factors were independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset gout: use of Neoral (vs. tacrolimus, AHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.47) at discharge, recipient male sex (AHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.25-1.67), older age, higher body mass index, and more recent year of transplant. No other immunosuppressive medications were associated with new-onset gout. Diabetes was associated with a significantly lower risk of new-onset gout. The development of new-onset gout was independently associated with decreased patient survival (AHR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08-1.47) as well as death-censored graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine is an independent risk factor for new-onset gout after transplantation. The incidence of new-onset gout appears to be increasing even while the use of cyclosporine is decreasing, and the development of new-onset gout was an independent predictor for death and graft loss in this population.     

Elevated calcium phosphate product after renal transplantation is a risk factor for graft failure

BACKGROUND: Abnormal mineral metabolism is not uncommon after renal transplant (TXP). In dialysis patients, elevated serum phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), CaP product, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The effect of these abnormalities on recipient and graft survival after renal transplantation is unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 422 kidney-only transplants performed between June 1996 and June 2003. Cases with graft or recipient survival less than three months, pre-TXP parathyroidectomy (PTX), cinacalcet therapy and incomplete records were excluded, leaving 303 cases for analysis using Cox models that included post-TXP PTX, levels of albumin-adjusted Ca(Ca(adj)), P, Ca(adj)P product and PTH. RESULTS: There was an 11-25% prevalence of abnormal serum Ca(adj), P or Ca(adj)P product within the first year post-TXP. At least 24% of recipients not undergoing PTX with an equation estimated GFR of 40-60 mL/min had PTH levels >130 pg/mL at one yr post-TXP. This is above levels recommended by the U.S National Kidney Foundation kidney disease quality initiative for patients with stages I-IV chronic kidney disease. Adjusted Ca > 10.5 mg/dL at three months post-TXP was an independent risk for recipient death (OR 3.0; 95% CI: 1.2-7.4). A Ca(adj)P product >35 mg(2)/dL(2) at six months (OR 4.0; 95% CI: 1.2-13.1), and Ca >10.5 mg/dL at 12 months post-TXP (OR 4.0; 95% CI: 1.2-14) were independent risks for death-censored graft loss. Twenty-two recipients underwent PTX for severe hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities of mineral metabolism are common early after renal TXP. An elevated serum Ca(adj) at three months post-TXP increases the risk for recipient death, while an elevated Ca(adj)P and Ca(adj) later in the first post-TXP year increases the risk of long-term death-censored graft loss.