Incidence of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease in Andalusia (1990-2009).

BACKGROUND: Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a severe complication of renal transplantation (RT) but information about its incidence and predisposing factors is diverse, varying according to geographic area and study period. METHODS: We analyzed the incidence of PTLD after all RT performed at adult transplantation centers in Andalusia from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2009, recorded in the Andalusian Transplant Co-ordination Information System (SICATA) regional computerized database (n = 5577). We calculated the risk of PTLD using the Kaplan-Meier curve, censoring for organ failure and incidence rate per patient-year of exposure. Log-rank comparisons were made by center (n = 5), decade (1990-1999 vs 2000-2009), age group, recipient gender, hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology, transplantation number, and duration of pre-RT replacement therapy (per quartiles). RESULTS: We identified 60 cases of PTLD. The pre-RT treatment time was 48.2 ± 60 months; 11.7% were retransplantations, and 10.4% had a positive HCV serology. The median post-RT time before diagnosis of PTLD was 5.98 years. At the time of the database analysis, only 11 patients (18%) were alive with a functioning transplant; 10% had returned to dialysis and 72% had died. The actuarial incidence of PTLD at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years post-RT was 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.6%, and 2.9%, respectively; the exposure rate was 14.71 PTLD/10,000 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.3-17.1). Although the incidence tended to be higher in 1990-1999 than 2000-2009 (16.8 vs 12.1 cases/10,000 patient-years), in the actuarial study the difference was far from significant (at 7.5 years, 1.2 vs 0.8%; P = .4). Nor were there significant differences in the curves of incidence per RT center (1%-1.2% of patients) or recipient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative incidence of PTLD in Andalusia in patients with a functioning kidney transplant during 1990-2009 was 2.9% at 20 years. There was no significant variation between the RT centers or over time. No associated factors were identified among the basic recipient variables studied.

Study of renal function in living kidney donors: estimated or measured glomerular filtration.

INTRODUCTION: In living kidney donations the accuracy of renal function is fundamental, especially for potential donors who have limited renal function (creatinine clearance levels [CCr] <90 mL/m/1.73 m(2)), are >50 years old, and who have cardiovascular risk factors that might favor the development of kidney diseases. OBJECTIVE: To compare the direct measured glomerular filtration (mGFR) using 51Cr-EDTA and the estimations based on creatinine (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]): CCr with 24-hour urine, and estimated using Cockroft-Gault (adjusted using body surface area, Mosteller formula), modification of diet in renal disease-4 (MDRD-4), MDRD-6, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) to determine the usefulness of different methods to evaluate the kidney function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The kidney function evaluation was performed for 37 potential kidney donors using the 51Cr-EDTA method. The GFR obtained through the 51Cr-EDTA was compared with the CCr values in 24-hour urine and eGFR based on creatinine (Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD-4, MDRD-6, and CKD-EPI). RESULTS: Using the Bland Altman graph, the most dispersed results were obtained with the eGFR using CCr in 24-hour urine and CKD-EPI. By means of Passing and Bablok, MDRD-4 and MDRD-6 showed the highest approximation to the reference method proposed to be substituted, whereas CCr showed a high dispersion. CONCLUSION: The eGFR using MDRD-4 and MDRD-6 formulas revealed the best adjustment to the measure by 51Cr-EDTA. This might represent the best option if a direct eGFR measure is not available.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant candidates: outpatient cardiac evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death after kidney transplantation. Pretransplant cardiovascular screening is an integral part of the assessment of patients with end-stage renal disease in most transplantation centers. Through this descriptive study we sought to highlight the major cardiovascular diseases that cause the high mortality rate before and after renal transplantation. METHODS: Between November 2005 and December 2009 we screened 356 patients for cardiovascular disease before inclusion in the renal transplant waiting list. All candidates underwent an analytical study, chest radiography, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography, as well as coronary angiography in high-risk patients. RESULTS: Clinical evaluations were performed in 356 patients (63% men) of mean age 54.3±11 years. They had been on renal replacement treatment for a median 13.2 months. Risk factors included hypertension (95.8%), dyslipidemia (56.5%), smoking (53.4%), and diabetes (27.2%). Cardiovascular disease included peripheral artery disease (15%), coronary artery disease (CAD; 12.1%), and stroke (9.8%). Significant CAD was found in 89 individuals (38.4%), 73 (82%) of whom were asymptomatic. Peripheral artery disease (P=.02), high levels of total cholesterol (P=.03), triglycerides (P=.03), and C-reactive protein (P=.03) were associated with the presence of severe CAD. The main diagnoses were hypertensive heart disease (70.8%), ischemic heart disease (33.1%), aortic valve disease (24.4%), and mitral valve disease (30.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic kidney disease show a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and ischemic heart disease, principally occult coronary artery stenosis, which could explain their high cardiovascular mortality after renal transplantation.