Renal function at 12 months of kidney transplantation comparing tacrolimus and mycophenolate with tacrolimus and mTORi in donors with different KDPI ranges. A multicenter cohort study using propensity scoring.

Introduction: The combination of tacrolimus/mTORi compared to tacrolimus/mycophenolate (MMF) was shown to be safe in the TRANSFORM trial. For donors with a high KDPI (Kidney Donor Profile Index), however, there are no data to support the effectiveness of this regimen. The main objective of this study was to explore the influence of the KDPI on 12-month renal function (eGFR) in patients receiving mTORi or MMF. Methods: Multicenter cohort study of four Brazilian services that use the tacrolimus with mTORi as a protocol. Data from 2008 to 2018 of the tacrolimus/mycophenolate (MMF) and tacrolimus/mTORi (mTORi) regimens in renal transplant recipients over 18 years old were collected. For better homogeneity, the propensity score was used. Afterward, the method used for group selection ("match") was the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) method. New analyses were performed on this new balanced sample, and two different subsamples were constituted based on the median KDPI. Results: The global analysis (n = 870) showed that the major determinant of worse kidney function was high KDPI. Afterward, the three strata were analyzed. In the first stratum (KDPI up to 50), 242 patients were evaluated, with 121 in each group. The eGFR was 64 ml/min/1.73 m2 in the mTORi group compared to 63 in the MMF group, p = 0.4, and when imputed eGFR was evaluated, 61 in the mTORi and 53 in the MMF, p = 0.065. In the second stratum (KDPI from 50 to 85), 282 patients were evaluated, with 141 in each group. eGFR was 46 ml/min/1.73 m2 in mTORi compared to 48 in MMF, p = 0.4, and when imputed eGFR was evaluated, 40 mTORi and 41 MMF, p = 0.8. In the last stratum (KDPI higher than 85) with n = 126 and 63 cases per group, eGFR was 36 ml/min/1.73 m2 in mTORi compared to 39 in MMF, p = 0.2, and when imputed eGFR was evaluated, 30 mTORi and 34 MMF, p = 0.2. Discussion: The regimen using mTOR inhibitor is an effective and safe regimen when compared to the standard regimen. In addition, the scheme seems to offer additional protection against infections and may be an important ally in cases of high risk for these pathologies.

Pneumatose intestinal: relato de caso / Pneumatosis intestinalis: case report

Pneumatose intestinal (PI) consiste em um achado de imagem correspondente à presença de ar na parede intestinal. É um sinal infrequente, mais comum em idosos e sem predileção por sexo. Existem várias causas relatadas na literatura, sendo alguns casos reportados como idiopáticos. A modalidade diagnóstica de maior sensibilidade é a tomografia computadorizada de abdome. A maioria dos casos é assintomática, porém, uma pequena parcela pode evoluir com complicações graves, necessitando de intervenções imediatas. A inexistência de um consenso a respeito do manejo dos pacientes com PI, somada ao pouco conhecimento dos médicos acerca dessa enfermidade, resulta em um cenário clínico delicado. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar o caso de um paciente com PI, destacando o manejo terapêutico adotado.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) consists in an image finding corresponding to the presence of air in the intestinal wall. It is an infrequent sign, more common in the elderly and without gender predilection. There are numerous causes described in the literature, and some cases are referred as idiopathic. The diagnostic modality with the highest sensibility is the computed tomography of the abdomen. The majority of cases are asymptomatic, but a small portion can evolve with severe complications, needing immediate interventions. The lack of a consensus regarding PI patients' management, along with the low knowledge level of physicians about the existence of this disorder, results in a delicate clinical scenario. The objective of this article is to report the case of a patient with PI, highlighting the adopted therapeutic management.