Predicting Kidney Transplantation Outcomes from Donor and Recipient Characteristics at Time Zero: Development of a Mobile Application for Nephrologists.

(1) Background: We report on the development of a predictive tool that can estimate kidney transplant survival at time zero. (2) Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study including 5078 transplants. Death-censored graft and patient survivals were calculated. (3) Results: Graft loss was associated with donor age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.021, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.018-1.024, p < 0.001), uncontrolled donation after circulatory death (DCD) (HR 1.576, 95% CI 1.241-2.047, p < 0.001) and controlled DCD (HR 1.567, 95% CI 1.372-1.812, p < 0.001), panel reactive antibody percentage (HR 1.009, 95% CI 1.007-1.011, p < 0.001), and previous transplants (HR 1.494, 95% CI 1.367-1.634, p < 0.001). Patient survival was associated with recipient age (> 60 years, HR 5.507, 95% CI 4.524-6.704, p < 0.001 vs. < 40 years), donor age (HR 1.019, 95% CI 1.016-1.023, p < 0.001), dialysis vintage (HR 1.0000263, 95% CI 1.000225-1.000301, p < 0.01), and male sex (HR 1.229, 95% CI 1.135-1.332, p < 0.001). The C-statistics for graft and patient survival were 0.666 (95% CI: 0.646, 0.686) and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.710-0.742), respectively. (4) Conclusions: We developed a mobile app to estimate survival at time zero, which can guide decisions for organ allocation.

Perfil sociosanitario e información a donantes y receptores renales de vivo en tres hospitales andaluces / Socio-sanitary profile and information for living kidney donors and recipients in three Andalusian hospitals

ANTECEDENTES: La información suministrada por profesionales sanitarios a posibles donantes y receptores es fundamental para una decisión autónoma y objetiva de donar un riñón en vida. OBJETIVOS: Conocer las características de la información que reciben los donantes y receptores renales de vivo, averiguando su perfil sociosanitario, sus características sociodemográficas, económico-laborales, de salud y la actividad cuidadora de dichos donantes y receptores. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, de la población de donantes y receptores renales de vivo, de los Hospitales Universitarios Puerta del Mar (Cádiz), Virgen del Rocío (Sevilla) y Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, entre el 8 de abril de 2014 y el 8 de junio de 2015. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Según los 40 donantes y 40 receptores renales de vivo encuestados, los facultativos de nefrología son principalmente quienes dan a conocer e informan sobre la donación renal en vida. Casi la mitad de receptores demandan más información, por lo que se deberían actualizar los procesos de evaluación y de información antes de la donación. En general, el donante renal vivo es mujer, de 50 años, con estudios de Primaria/ESO, vive en pareja, está emparentado con el receptor del riñón, realiza un trabajo remunerado, tiene sobrepeso, percibe su salud como muy buena o buena, y no fuma ni consume alcohol. Sin embargo, el receptor renal tipo es hombre, con 44 años, tiene estudios de bachillerato/FP, no trabaja, percibe su salud como buena o regular, y son personas independientes para las actividades de la vida diaria

BACKGROUND: Information provided by health professionals to potential donors and recipients is essential for an autonomous and objective decision to make a living kidney donation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the characteristics of the information received by living kidney donors and recipients, to find out their socio-sanitary profile, their socio-demographics, financial and labour characteristics, health and the caregiving activity of these donors and recipients. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of the population of living kidney donors and recipients from the University Hospitals Puerta del Mar (Cádiz), Virgen del Rocío (Seville), and the University Hospital Complex of Granada, between 08/04/2014 and 08/06/2015. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: According to the 40 living kidney donors and their 40 recipients surveyed, it is mainly nephrologists who make people aware and provide information about living kidney donation. Almost half of recipients require more information so the evaluation processes and pre-donation information should be updated. In general, the living kidney donor is female, aged 50, with primary/secondary education, lives with a partner and is related to the kidney recipient. Also, the living kidney donor is in paid employment, is overweight, perceives her health as very good or good, and does not smoke or drink alcohol. However, the typical living kidney recipient is male, aged 44 and has completed secondary school studies and vocational training. Furthermore, he does not work, perceives his health as good or regular, and he is an independent person for activities of daily living

Socio-sanitary profile and information for living kidney donors and recipients in three Andalusian hospitals. / Perfil sociosanitario e información a donantes y receptores renales de vivo en tres hospitales andaluces.

BACKGROUND: Information provided by health professionals to potential donors and recipients is essential for an autonomous and objective decision to make a living kidney donation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the characteristics of the information received by living kidney donors and recipients, to find out their socio-sanitary profile, their socio-demographics, financial and labour characteristics, health and the caregiving activity of these donors and recipients. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of the population of living kidney donors and recipients from the University Hospitals Puerta del Mar (Cádiz), Virgen del Rocío (Seville), and the University Hospital Complex of Granada, between 08/04/2014 and 08/06/2015. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: According to the 40 living kidney donors and their 40 recipients surveyed, it is mainly nephrologists who make people aware and provide information about living kidney donation. Almost half of recipients require more information so the evaluation processes and pre-donation information should be updated. In general, the living kidney donor is female, aged 50, with primary/secondary education, lives with a partner and is related to the kidney recipient. Also, the living kidney donor is in paid employment, is overweight, perceives her health as very good or good, and does not smoke or drink alcohol. However, the typical living kidney recipient is male, aged 44 and has completed secondary school studies and vocational training. Furthermore, he does not work, perceives his health as good or regular, and he is an independent person for activities of daily living.

Evolución clínica de los enfermos renales crónicos en tratamiento sustitutivo con infección por VIH / Clinical evolution of chronic renal patients with HIV infection in replacement therapy

Los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y enfermedad renal que terminan en tratamiento sustitutivo renal constituyen un grupo especial con interés creciente para la nefrología. Con el objetivo de conocer datos epidemiológicos de los pacientes VHI+ en España, recogimos información individualizada durante los años 2004 a 2011 (periodo de uso de tratamiento antiviral de alta eficacia) en las comunidades autónomas (CCAA) de Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, Cataluña, Comunidad Valenciana, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Galicia, Madrid, La Rioja y País Vasco, que comprendían un 85% de la población española. Se analizó a un total de 271 pacientes incidentes y 209 prevalentes. Se compararon con el resto de pacientes en tratamiento sustitutivo durante el mismo periodo de tiempo. La incidencia anual fue de 0,8 pacientes por millón de habitantes, con un aumento significativo a lo largo del periodo de seguimiento. La proporción de pacientes prevalentes VIH+ fue de 5,1/1.000 pacientes en tratamiento sustitutivo, intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95%: 4,4-5,8. Las causas glomerulares constituyeron la mayoría (42%), aunque hubo un 14% de nefropatía diabética. En el total de España, esos porcentajes son 13 y 25%, respectivamente. Comparando frente al total de pacientes en tratamiento, el riesgo de muerte fue significativamente mayor en el grupo VIH+: hazard ratio (HR) ajustado por edad, sexo y presencia de diabetes: 2,26 (IC 95%: 1,74-2,91). La coinfección por hepatitis C aumentó el riesgo de muerte dentro del grupo VIH+: HR 1,77 (IC 95%: 1,10-2,85). La probabilidad de recibir trasplante renal en los VIH+ solo alcanzó el 17% a los 7 años, comparando con el total de pacientes en diálisis HR: 0,15 (IC 95%: 0,10-0,24). A pesar del uso de las nuevas combinaciones de antivirales, la incidencia de pacientes VIH+ en diálisis se ha incrementado, su mortalidad supera todavía al resto de pacientes, y tienen una tasa de trasplante muy baja. Se hace necesario profundizar en el conocimiento de esta enfermedad para mejorar los resultados (AU)

Patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are a special group with growing interest. In order to study the epidemiological data of HIV+ patients on RRT in Spain, we collected individual information from 2004-2011 (period of use of highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART] in the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Catalonia, Valencia, Castilla la Mancha, Castilla León, Galicia, Madrid, La Rioja and the Basque Country, comprising 85% of the Spanish population. A total of 271 incident and 209 prevalent patients were analysed. They were compared with the remaining patients on RRT during the same period. The annual incidence was 0.8 patients per one million inhabitants, with a significant increase during the follow-up period. The proportion of prevalent HIV+ patientswas 5.1 per 1,000 patients on RRT (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4-5.8. Although glomerular diseases constituted the majority of cases (42%), diabetic nephropathy was the cause in 14% of patients. The nation-wide totals for these percentages were 13 and 25%, respectively. Compared to the total of patients in treatment, the risk of death was significantly higher in the HIV+ group: hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for age, sex and diabetes was 2.26 (95% CI 1.74 - 2.91). Hepatitis C coinfection increased the risk of death in the HIV+ group (HR 1.77; 95% CI 1.10 - 2.85). The probability of kidney transplantation in HIV+ was only 17% after 7 years, comparing with total RTT patients (HR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.10-0.24). Despite the use of HAART, the incidence of HIV+ patients on dialysis has increased; their mortality still exceeds non-HIV patients, and they have a very low rate of transplantation. It is necessary to further our knowledge of this disease in order to improve results (AU)

Clinical evolution of chronic renal patients with HIV infection in replacement therapy.

Patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are a special group with growing interest. In order to study the epidemiological data of HIV+ patients on RRT in Spain, we collected individual information from 2004-2011 (period of use of highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART] in the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Catalonia, Valencia, Castilla la Mancha, Castilla León, Galicia, Madrid, La Rioja and the Basque Country, comprising 85% of the Spanish population. A total of 271 incident and 209 prevalent patients were analysed. They were compared with the remaining patients on RRT during the same period. The annual incidence was 0.8 patients per one million inhabitants, with a significant increase during the follow-up period. The proportion of prevalent HIV+ patients was 5.1 per 1,000 patients on RRT (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4-5.8. Although glomerular diseases constituted the majority of cases (42%), diabetic nephropathy was the cause in 14% of patients. The nation-wide totals for these percentages were 13 and 25%, respectively. Compared to the total of patients in treatment, the risk of death was significantly higher in the HIV+ group: hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for age, sex and diabetes was 2.26 (95% CI 1.74 - 2.91). Hepatitis C coinfection increased the risk of death in the HIV+ group (HR 1.77; 95% CI 1.10 - 2.85). The probability of kidney transplantation in HIV+ was only 17% after 7 years, comparing with total RTT patients (HR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.10-0.24). Despite the use of HAART, the incidence of HIV+ patients on dialysis has increased; their mortality still exceeds non-HIV patients, and they have a very low rate of transplantation. It is necessary to further our knowledge of this disease in order to improve results.

Progression of urinary protein excretion after kidney transplantation: A marker for poor long-term prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: Post-transplantation proteinuria is a risk factor for graft failure. A progressive decline in renal graft function is a predictor for mortality in kidney transplant patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the development and the progression of urinary protein excretion (UPE) in the first year post-transplant in recipients of kidney transplants and its effect on patient and graft outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 1815 patients with 24-h UPE measurements available at 3 and 12 months post-transplant. Patients were divided based on their UPE level: below 300 mg, 300-1000 mg and over 1000 mg (at 3 and 12 months), and changes over time were analysed. RESULTS: At 3 months, 65.7% had UPE below 300 mg/24 h, 29.6% 300-1000 mg/24 h and 4.7% over 1000 mg/24h. At one year, 71.6% had UPE below 300 mg/24 h, 24.1% 300-1000 mg/24 h and 4.4% over 1000 mg/24 h. In 208 patients (12%), the UPE progressed, in 1233 (70.5%) it remained stable and in 306 (17.5%) an improvement was observed. We found that the level of UPE influenced graft survival, particularly if a progression occurred. Recipient's age and renal function at one year were found to be predictive factors for mortality, while proteinuria and renal function were predictive factors for graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria after transplantation, essentially when it progresses, is a marker of a poor prognosis and a predictor for graft survival. Progression of proteinuria is associated with poorer renal function and lower graft survival rates.

Progression of urinary protein excretion after kidney transplantation: A marker for poor long-term prognosis / Progresión de la excreción urinaria de proteínas después del trasplante renal: un marcador de mal pronóstico a largo plazo

Introduction: Post-transplantation proteinuria is a risk factor for graft failure. A progressive decline in renal graft function is a predictor for mortality in kidney transplant patients. Objectives: To assess the development and the progression of urinary protein excretion (UPE) in the first year post-transplant in recipients of kidney transplants and its effect on patient and graft outcomes. Materials and methods: We analysed 1815 patients with 24-h UPE measurements available at 3 and 12 months post-transplant. Patients were divided based on their UPE level: below 300mg, 300–1000mg and over 1000mg (at 3 and 12 months), and changes over time were analysed. Results: At 3 months, 65.7% had UPE below 300mg/24h, 29.6% 300–1000mg/24h and 4.7% over 1000mg/24h. At one year, 71.6% had UPE below 300mg/24h, 24.1% 300–1000mg/24h and 4.4% over 1000mg/24h. In 208 patients (12%), the UPE progressed, in 1233 (70.5%) it remained stable and in 306 (17.5%) an improvement was observed. We found that the level of UPE influenced graft survival, particularly if a progression occurred. Recipient's age and renal function at one year were found to be predictive factors for mortality, while proteinuria and renal function were predictive factors for graft survival. Conclusions: Proteinuria after transplantation, essentially when it progresses, is a marker of a poor prognosis and a predictor for graft survival. Progression of proteinuria is associated with poorer renal function and lower graft survival rates (AU)

Introducción: La proteinuria después de un trasplante renal constituye un factor de riesgo para el fallo del injerto. Una disminución progresiva de la función del injerto renal es un predictor de la mortalidad en los pacientes trasplantados renales. Objetivos: Analizar la aparición y la progresión de una excreción urinaria de proteínas (EUP) en el primer año siguiente al trasplante en pacientes trasplantados renales, y su efecto sobre la evolución del paciente y del injerto. Material y métodos: Analizamos un total de 1815 pacientes en los que se dispuso de determinaciones de la EUP de 24 horas a los 3 y a los 12 meses del trasplante. Dividimos a los pacientes según el nivel de EUP, de la siguiente forma: inferior a 300mg, 300-1000mg y más de 1000mg (a los 3 y 12 meses), y analizamos los cambios a lo largo del tiempo. Resultados: A los 3 meses, el 65,7% presentaban una EUP inferior a 300mg/24h, el 29,6% 300-1000mg/24h y el 4,7% más de 1000mg/24h. A un año, el 71,6% tenían una EUP inferior a 300mg/24h, el 24,1% 300-1000mg/24h y el 4,4% más de 1000mg/24h. En 208 pacientes (12%), la EUP mostró una progresión, en 1233 (70,5%) se mantuvo estable y en 306 (17,5%) se observó una mejoría. Observamos que el nivel de EUP influía en la supervivencia del injerto, en especial si se producía una progresión. La edad y la función renal del receptor al año del trasplante fueron factores predictivos de la mortalidad, mientras que la proteinuria y la función renal lo fueron de la supervivencia del injerto. Conclusiones: La proteinuria después del trasplante, fundamentalmente cuando muestra una progresión, es un marcador de mal pronóstico y un factor predictivo de la supervivencia del injerto. La progresión de la proteinuria se asocia a una peor función renal y a una tasa de supervivencia del injerto inferior (AU)

Clinical relevance of anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies detected by Luminex assay in the development of rejection after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The role of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donor-specific antibodies (DSA) detected by Luminex in the development of rejection is not fully understood. METHODS: A study including 369 patients who received transplants from deceased donors with a negative complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch (XM) was performed. From the total of patients, 151 underwent a renal biopsy because of renal dysfunction, whereas the 218 remaining showed a stable renal function, and no rejection was assumed. Diagnosis and type of rejection was based in biopsy data. RESULTS: Patients with a positive virtual XMs showed more rejection episodes of any types when comparing with patients with negative virtual XMs (P<0.0001). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between patients without anti-HLA antibodies and patients with anti-HLA no DSA. Allograft impairment was caused by a rejection episode in 84% (32/38) of patients with anti-HLA-DSA but only in 30% (34/113) of patients without anti-HLA-DSA. Regarding the type of rejection detected in the biopsy, all the patients with de novo (after transplantation) anti-HLA-DSA were diagnosed as antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) or AMR+T-cell-mediated rejection, whereas most of the patients without anti-HLA-DSA (68%) were diagnosed with T-cell-mediated rejection, and patients with preexistent anti-HLA-DSA showed a more homogeneous distribution of the different types of rejection. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, patients with preformed or de novo anti-HLA-DSA showed the highest likelihood to suffer rejection episodes. Transplantation with preformed anti-HLA-DSA should be avoided, and an early detection of de novo HLA antibodies is important to treat patients before damage occurs in the graft.

Clinical relevance of HLA donor-specific antibodies detected by single antigen assay in kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Clinical relevance of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) detected by a single antigen Luminex virtual crossmatch in pre-transplant serum samples from patients with a negative cytotoxicity-dependent complement crossmatch is controversial. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of a pre-transplant positive virtual crossmatch in the outcome of kidney transplantation. METHODS: A total of 892 patients who received a graft from deceased donors after a negative cytotoxicity crossmatch were included. Presence of anti-human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies was investigated using a Luminex screening assay and anti-HLA specificities were assigned performing a Luminex single antigen assay. RESULTS: Graft survival was significantly worse among patients with anti-HLA DSA compared to both patients with anti-HLA with no DSA (P = 0.001) and patients without HLA antibodies (P < 0.001) using a log-rank test. No graft survival differences between anti-HLA with no DSA and no HLA antibodies patient groups were observed (P = 0.595). Influence of both anti-Class I and anti-Class II DSA was detected (P < 0.0001 in both cases). When the fluorescence values were stratified in four groups, no significant differences in graft survival were observed among the groups with fluorescence levels >1500 (global P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of preformed HLA DSA in transplanted patients with a negative cytotoxicity crossmatch is associated with a lower allograft survival. The detection of anti-HLA with no DSA has no influence in the graft outcome. Finally, there were no demonstrable effects of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) values >1500 on graft survival.

[Assessment and selection of kidney living donors]. / Estudio y selección del donante vivo de riñón.

Donor protection should always be taken account during the selection and assessment of a living donor. On these terms, the evaluation of a potential donor must include these issues: 1) The donor act is altruistic, consciousness and out of coercion; 2) Life expectancy and quality of life of the recipient will improve after the living donor kidney transplantation; 3) The donor has normal renal function and the potential risk of developing nephropathy in the long term follow up is scarce (familiar nephropathies and other processes that may increase the potential risk for renal disease in the future, like severe hypertension, diabetes, etc must be ruled out). The glomerular filtrate should meet criteria for the normal function corresponding to age furthermore the absence of proteinuria and urine smear is normal; 4) The screening in the donor should contemplate those clinical situations or diseases non related to the kidney function but might elevate the surgical and/or anesthesia risk besides disease transmission to the recipient (as neoplasia or infections); 5) The surgical act is possible without technical difficulties and always performed after a negative result of the crossmatch between donor and recipient. The living donor evaluation process will follow a different schedule based on each particular case and the center facilities. Any case, the mentioned process is divided in two parts: The first one contains an initial screening (using non invasive and low cost tests) that allows discarding contraindications for donation (in both donor and recipient). In a second phase the assessment of the donor varies with donor characteristics. However, a test for renal function is mandatory besides imaging techniques (like angioTC), screening for transmissible diseases and a detailed evaluation for psychosocial aspects preferably made by professional. Moreover Spanish policy on living donation requires a report with information about the consent for donation developed by an independent board (ethics committee) besides the consent for donation given at the civil registry.

Estudio y selección del donante vivo de riñón / Assessing and selecting a living kidney donor

En la selección y el estudio del donante de riñón, el principio predominante para el médico debe ser la protección del donante. El estudio de una donación de riñón de vivo debe demostrar diversos aspectos: 1) La donación es libre, consciente y desinteresada. 2) El receptor no presenta contraindicaciones y su pronóstico vital y de rehabilitación mejorará de forma relevante con el trasplante renal de donante vivo. 3) El donante tiene riñones normales y el riesgo de desarrollar nefropatía a largo plazo es reducido. El filtrado glomerular debe estar por encima de un nivel mínimo en función de la edad y no deben existir proteinuria o alteraciones del sedimento. Deben descartarse nefropatías heredofamiliares y procesos o alteraciones que incrementen el riesgo de nefropatía a largo plazo (enfermedades sistémicas, hipertensión arterial severa, diabetes, etc.). 4) El donante no debe presentar otras enfermedades o alteraciones que puedan incrementar el riesgo quirúrgico o anestésico o transmitirse al receptor (cáncer, infecciones). 5) El trasplante es posible técnicamente con un riesgo aceptable: anatomía apropiada en donante y receptor, compatibilidad ABO y prueba cruzada negativa (excepto si se van a aplicar técnicas preparatorias especiales). El estudio del donante se organizará en función del caso particular y de las facilidades disponibles en el centro. En cualquier caso debe comenzar por una fase de cribado con estudios poco invasivos y costosos, que descarte contraindicaciones elementales por parte de donante y de receptor. En una segunda fase se amplían las exploraciones en función de las características del donante, si bien en todo caso deben incluir la comprobación de la función renal, estudio de imagen mediante angiotomografía axial computarizada, cribado de infecciones trasmisibles y de cáncer y un examen más detallado de los aspectos psicosociales, a ser posible por parte de personal especializado. La normativa española exige la emisión de un informe por parte del Comité Hospitalario de Ética y la declaración de voluntad del donante ante el juez del Registro Civil (AU)

Donor protection should always be taken account during the selection and assessment of a living donor. On these terms, the evaluation of a potential donor must include these issues: 1) The donor act is altruistic, consciousness and out of coercion; 2) Life expectancy and quality of life of the recipient will improve after the living donor kidney transplantation; 3) The donor has normal renal function and the potential risk of developing nephropathy in the long term follow up is scarce (familiar nephropathies and other processes that may increase the potential risk for renal disease in the future, like severe hypertension, diabetes, etc must be ruled out). The glomerular filtrate should meet criteria for the normal function corresponding to age furthermore the absence of proteinuria and urine smear is normal. 4) The screening in the donor should contemplate those clinical situations or diseases non related to the kidney function but might elevate the surgical and/or anesthesia risk besides disease transmission to the recipient (as neoplasia or infections). 5) The surgical act is possible without technical difficulties and always performed after a negative result of the crossmatch between donor and recipient. The living donor evaluation process will follow a different schedule based on each particular case and the center facilities. Any case, the mentioned process is divided in two parts: The first one contains an initial screening (using non invasive and low cost tests) that allows discarding contraindications for donation (in both donor and recipient). In a second phase the assessment of the donor varies with donor characteristics. However, a test for renal function is mandatory besides imaging techniques (like angioTC), screening for transmissible diseases and a detailed evaluation for psychosocial aspects preferably made by professional. Moreover Spanish policy on living donation requires a report with information about the consent for donation developed by an independent board (ethics committee) besides the consent for donation given at the civil registry (AU)