AI-driven translations for kidney transplant equity in Hispanic populations.

Health equity and accessing Spanish kidney transplant information continues being a substantial challenge facing the Hispanic community. This study evaluated ChatGPT's capabilities in translating 54 English kidney transplant frequently asked questions (FAQs) into Spanish using two versions of the AI model, GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.0. The FAQs included 19 from Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), 15 from National Health Service (NHS), and 20 from National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Two native Spanish-speaking nephrologists, both of whom are of Mexican heritage, scored the translations for linguistic accuracy and cultural sensitivity tailored to Hispanics using a 1-5 rubric. The inter-rater reliability of the evaluators, measured by Cohen's Kappa, was 0.85. Overall linguistic accuracy was 4.89 ± 0.31 for GPT-3.5 versus 4.94 ± 0.23 for GPT-4.0 (non-significant p = 0.23). Both versions scored 4.96 ± 0.19 in cultural sensitivity (p = 1.00). By source, GPT-3.5 linguistic accuracy was 4.84 ± 0.37 (OPTN), 4.93 ± 0.26 (NHS), 4.90 ± 0.31 (NKF). GPT-4.0 scored 4.95 ± 0.23 (OPTN), 4.93 ± 0.26 (NHS), 4.95 ± 0.22 (NKF). For cultural sensitivity, GPT-3.5 scored 4.95 ± 0.23 (OPTN), 4.93 ± 0.26 (NHS), 5.00 ± 0.00 (NKF), while GPT-4.0 scored 5.00 ± 0.00 (OPTN), 5.00 ± 0.00 (NHS), 4.90 ± 0.31 (NKF). These high linguistic and cultural sensitivity scores demonstrate Chat GPT effectively translated the English FAQs into Spanish across systems. The findings suggest Chat GPT's potential to promote health equity by improving Spanish access to essential kidney transplant information. Additional research should evaluate its medical translation capabilities across diverse contexts/languages. These English-to-Spanish translations may increase access to vital transplant information for underserved Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients.

Empowering inclusivity: improving readability of living kidney donation information with ChatGPT.

Background: Addressing disparities in living kidney donation requires making information accessible across literacy levels, especially important given that the average American adult reads at an 8th-grade level. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ChatGPT, an advanced AI language model, in simplifying living kidney donation information to an 8th-grade reading level or below. Methods: We used ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4.0 to modify 27 questions and answers from Donate Life America, a key resource on living kidney donation. We measured the readability of both original and modified texts using the Flesch-Kincaid formula. A paired t-test was conducted to assess changes in readability levels, and a statistical comparison between the two ChatGPT versions was performed. Results: Originally, the FAQs had an average reading level of 9.6 ± 1.9. Post-modification, ChatGPT 3.5 achieved an average readability level of 7.72 ± 1.85, while ChatGPT 4.0 reached 4.30 ± 1.71, both with a p-value <0.001 indicating significant reduction. ChatGPT 3.5 made 59.26% of answers readable below 8th-grade level, whereas ChatGPT 4.0 did so for 96.30% of the texts. The grade level range for modified answers was 3.4-11.3 for ChatGPT 3.5 and 1-8.1 for ChatGPT 4.0. Conclusion: Both ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 effectively lowered the readability grade levels of complex medical information, with ChatGPT 4.0 being more effective. This suggests ChatGPT's potential role in promoting diversity and equity in living kidney donation, indicating scope for further refinement in making medical information more accessible.

Evaluating ChatGPT's efficacy in assessing the safety of non-prescription medications and supplements in patients with kidney disease.

Background: This study investigated the efficacy of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 in assessing drug safety for patients with kidney diseases, comparing their performance to Micromedex, a well-established drug information source. Despite the perception of non-prescription medications and supplements as safe, risks exist, especially for those with kidney issues. The study's goal was to evaluate ChatGPT's versions for their potential in clinical decision-making regarding kidney disease patients. Method: The research involved analyzing 124 common non-prescription medications and supplements using ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 with queries about their safety for people with kidney disease. The AI responses were categorized as "generally safe," "potentially harmful," or "unknown toxicity." Simultaneously, these medications and supplements were assessed in Micromedex using similar categories, allowing for a comparison of the concordance between the two resources. Results: Micromedex identified 85 (68.5%) medications as generally safe, 35 (28.2%) as potentially harmful, and 4 (3.2%) of unknown toxicity. ChatGPT-3.5 identified 89 (71.8%) as generally safe, 11 (8.9%) as potentially harmful, and 24 (19.3%) of unknown toxicity. GPT-4 identified 82 (66.1%) as generally safe, 29 (23.4%) as potentially harmful, and 13 (10.5%) of unknown toxicity. The overall agreement between Micromedex and ChatGPT-3.5 was 64.5% and ChatGPT-4 demonstrated a higher agreement at 81.4%. Notably, ChatGPT-3.5's suboptimal performance was primarily influenced by a lower concordance rate among supplements, standing at 60.3%. This discrepancy could be attributed to the limited data on supplements within ChatGPT-3.5, with supplements constituting 80% of medications identified as unknown. Conclusion: ChatGPT's capabilities in evaluating the safety of non-prescription drugs and supplements for kidney disease patients are modest compared to established drug information resources. Neither ChatGPT-3.5 nor ChatGPT-4 can be currently recommended as reliable drug information sources for this demographic. The results highlight the need for further improvements in the model's accuracy and reliability in the medical domain.

Perspectives on AI-based recommendations for mask-wearing and COVID-19 vaccination for transplant recipients in the post-COVID-19 era.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing necessity for preventive measures such as mask-wearing and vaccination remains particularly critical for organ transplant recipients, a group highly susceptible to infections due to immunosuppressive therapy. Given that many individuals nowadays increasingly utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI), understanding AI perspectives is important. Thus, this study utilizes AI, specifically ChatGPT 4.0, to assess its perspectives in offering precise health recommendations for mask-wearing and COVID-19 vaccination tailored to this vulnerable population. Through a series of scenarios reflecting diverse environmental settings and health statuses in December 2023, we evaluated the AI's responses to gauge its precision, adaptability, and potential biases in advising high-risk patient groups. Our findings reveal that ChatGPT 4.0 consistently recommends mask-wearing in crowded and indoor environments for transplant recipients, underscoring their elevated risk. In contrast, for settings with fewer transmission risks, such as outdoor areas where social distancing is possible, the AI suggests that mask-wearing might be less imperative. Regarding vaccination guidance, the AI strongly advocates for the COVID-19 vaccine across most scenarios for kidney transplant recipients. However, it recommends a personalized consultation with healthcare providers in cases where patients express concerns about vaccine-related side effects, demonstrating an ability to adapt recommendations based on individual health considerations. While this study provides valuable insights into the current AI perspective on these important topics, it is crucial to note that the findings do not directly reflect or influence health policy. Nevertheless, given the increasing utilization of AI in various domains, understanding AI's viewpoints on such critical matters is essential for informed decision-making and future research.

Personalized Medicine Transformed: ChatGPT's Contribution to Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Alarm Management in Intensive Care Units.

The accurate interpretation of CRRT machine alarms is crucial in the intensive care setting. ChatGPT, with its advanced natural language processing capabilities, has emerged as a tool that is evolving and advancing in its ability to assist with healthcare information. This study is designed to evaluate the accuracy of the ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 models in addressing queries related to CRRT alarm troubleshooting. This study consisted of two rounds of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 responses to address 50 CRRT machine alarm questions that were carefully selected by two nephrologists in intensive care. Accuracy was determined by comparing the model responses to predetermined answer keys provided by critical care nephrologists, and consistency was determined by comparing outcomes across the two rounds. The accuracy rate of ChatGPT-3.5 was 86% and 84%, while the accuracy rate of ChatGPT-4 was 90% and 94% in the first and second rounds, respectively. The agreement between the first and second rounds of ChatGPT-3.5 was 84% with a Kappa statistic of 0.78, while the agreement of ChatGPT-4 was 92% with a Kappa statistic of 0.88. Although ChatGPT-4 tended to provide more accurate and consistent responses than ChatGPT-3.5, there was no statistically significant difference between the accuracy and agreement rate between ChatGPT-3.5 and -4. ChatGPT-4 had higher accuracy and consistency but did not achieve statistical significance. While these findings are encouraging, there is still potential for further development to achieve even greater reliability. This advancement is essential for ensuring the highest-quality patient care and safety standards in managing CRRT machine-related issues.

Systematic Review of Cardiovascular Benefits and Safety of Sacubitril-Valsartan in End-Stage Kidney Disease.

Introduction: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) frequently develop heart failure, contributing to high mortality. Limited data exist on cardiovascular benefits and safety of sacubitril-valsartan in this population. Our systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sacubitril-valsartan versus standard care in patients with ESKD who are on dialysis. Methods: We conducted a search in Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases to identify relevant studies and assessed outcomes using random-effect model and generic inverse variance approach. Results: Analysis of 12 studies involving 799 eligible patients with ESKD revealed improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with sacubitril-valsartan compared to a control group with pooled mean difference (MD) 6.58% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86, 11.29). LVEF significantly improved in patients with LVEF <50% (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF] and heart failure with moderately reduced ejection fraction [HFmrEF]) with MD 12.42% (95% CI: 9.39, 15.45). However, patients with LVEF >50% (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]) did not exhibit statistically significant effect, MD 2.6% (95% CI: 1.15, 6.35). Sacubitril-valsartan significantly enhanced LVEF in patients with HFrEF, with MD 13.8% (95% CI: 12.04, 15.82). Safety analysis indicated no differences in incidence of hyperkalemia (pooled odds ratio [OR] 0.72; 95% CI: 0.38, 1.36) or hypotension (pooled risk ratio [RR] 1.03; 95% CI: 0.36, 2.98). No cases of angioedema were reported. However, safety analysis relies on evidence of limited robustness due to the observational nature of the studies. Conclusion: Our systematic review suggests that sacubitril-valsartan benefits patients with ESKD with HFrEF and HFmrEF by improving LVEF without increasing the risk of hyperkalemia, hypotension, or angioedema compared to standard care. However, safety analysis based on observational studies inherently has limitations for establishing causal relationships.

Safety and Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Advanced and End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Limited evidence exists regarding the safety and efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of GLP-1RAs in T2DM patients with advanced CKD and ESKD. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database until 25 October 2023. Included were clinical trials and cohort studies reporting outcomes of GLP-1RAs in adult patients with T2DM and advanced CKD. Outcome measures encompassed mortality, cardiovascular parameters, blood glucose, and weight. Safety was assessed for adverse events. The differences in effects were expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous outcomes and the weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals for continuous outcomes. The Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBIN-I) tool was used in cohort and non-randomized controlled studies, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2) tool was used in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD 42023398452) and received no external funding. Results: Eight studies (five trials and three cohort studies) consisting of 27,639 patients were included in this meta-analysis. No difference was observed in one-year mortality. However, GLP-1RAs significantly reduced cardiothoracic ratio (SMD of -1.2%; 95% CI -2.0, -0.4) and pro-BNP (SMD -335.9 pmol/L; 95% CI -438.9, -232.8). There was no significant decrease in systolic blood pressure. Moreover, GLP-1RAs significantly reduced mean blood glucose (SMD -1.1 mg/dL; 95% CI -1.8, -0.3) and increased weight loss (SMD -2.2 kg; 95% CI -2.9, -1.5). In terms of safety, GLP-1RAs were associated with a 3.8- and 35.7-time higher risk of nausea and vomiting, respectively, but were not significantly associated with a higher risk of hypoglycemia. Conclusions: Despite the limited number of studies in each analysis, our study provides evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of GLP-1RAs among T2DM patients with advanced CKD and ESKD. While gastrointestinal side effects may occur, GLP-1RAs demonstrate significant improvements in blood glucose control, weight reduction, and potential benefit in cardiovascular outcomes.

Performance of ChatGPT on Nephrology Test Questions.

BACKGROUND: ChatGPT is a novel tool that allows people to engage in conversations with an advanced machine learning model. ChatGPT's performance in the US Medical Licensing Examination is comparable with a successful candidate's performance. However, its performance in the nephrology field remains undetermined. This study assessed ChatGPT's capabilities in answering nephrology test questions. METHODS: Questions sourced from Nephrology Self-Assessment Program and Kidney Self-Assessment Program were used, each with multiple-choice single-answer questions. Questions containing visual elements were excluded. Each question bank was run twice using GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. Total accuracy rate, defined as the percentage of correct answers obtained by ChatGPT in either the first or second run, and the total concordance, defined as the percentage of identical answers provided by ChatGPT during both runs, regardless of their correctness, were used to assess its performance. RESULTS: A comprehensive assessment was conducted on a set of 975 questions, comprising 508 questions from Nephrology Self-Assessment Program and 467 from Kidney Self-Assessment Program. GPT-3.5 resulted in a total accuracy rate of 51%. Notably, the employment of Nephrology Self-Assessment Program yielded a higher accuracy rate compared with Kidney Self-Assessment Program (58% versus 44%; P < 0.001). The total concordance rate across all questions was 78%, with correct answers exhibiting a higher concordance rate (84%) compared with incorrect answers (73%) ( P < 0.001). When examining various nephrology subfields, the total accuracy rates were relatively lower in electrolyte and acid-base disorder, glomerular disease, and kidney-related bone and stone disorders. The total accuracy rate of GPT-4's response was 74%, higher than GPT-3.5 ( P < 0.001) but remained below the passing threshold and average scores of nephrology examinees (77%). CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT exhibited limitations regarding accuracy and repeatability when addressing nephrology-related questions. Variations in performance were evident across various subfields.

Safety and Efficacy of Vaptans in the Treatment of Hyponatremia from Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The utilization of vasopressin receptor antagonists, known as vaptans, in the management of hyponatremia among patients afflicted with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) remains a contentious subject. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vaptans for treating chronic hyponatremia in adult SIADH patients. Clinical trials and observational studies were identified by a systematic search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database from inception through September 2022. The inclusion criteria were the studies that reported vaptans' safety or efficacy outcomes compared to placebo or standard therapies. The study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD 42022357307). Five studies were identified, comprising three RCTs and two cohort studies, enrolling a total of 1840 participants. Regarding short-term efficacy on days 4-5, vaptans exhibited a significant increase in serum sodium concentration from the baseline in comparison to the control group, with a weighted mean difference of 4.77 mmol/L (95% CI, 3.57, 5.96; I2 = 34%). In terms of safety outcomes, the pooled incidence rates of overcorrection were 13.1% (95% CI 4.3, 33.6; I2 = 92%) in the vaptans group and 3.3% (95% CI 1.6, 6.6; I2 = 27%) in the control group. Despite the higher correction rate linked to vaptans, with an OR of 5.72 (95% CI 3.38, 9.70; I2 = 0%), no cases of osmotic demyelination syndrome were observed. Our meta-analysis comprehensively summarizes the efficacy and effect size of vaptans in managing SIADH. While vaptans effectively raise the serum sodium concentration compared to placebo/fluid restriction, clinicians should exercise caution regarding the potential for overcorrection.

Ethical Implications of Chatbot Utilization in Nephrology.

This comprehensive critical review critically examines the ethical implications associated with integrating chatbots into nephrology, aiming to identify concerns, propose policies, and offer potential solutions. Acknowledging the transformative potential of chatbots in healthcare, responsible implementation guided by ethical considerations is of the utmost importance. The review underscores the significance of establishing robust guidelines for data collection, storage, and sharing to safeguard privacy and ensure data security. Future research should prioritize defining appropriate levels of data access, exploring anonymization techniques, and implementing encryption methods. Transparent data usage practices and obtaining informed consent are fundamental ethical considerations. Effective security measures, including encryption technologies and secure data transmission protocols, are indispensable for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of patient data. To address potential biases and discrimination, the review suggests regular algorithm reviews, diversity strategies, and ongoing monitoring. Enhancing the clarity of chatbot capabilities, developing user-friendly interfaces, and establishing explicit consent procedures are essential for informed consent. Striking a balance between automation and human intervention is vital to preserve the doctor-patient relationship. Cultural sensitivity and multilingual support should be considered through chatbot training. To ensure ethical chatbot utilization in nephrology, it is imperative to prioritize the development of comprehensive ethical frameworks encompassing data handling, security, bias mitigation, informed consent, and collaboration. Continuous research and innovation in this field are crucial for maximizing the potential of chatbot technology and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Characteristics of Kidney Transplant Recipients with Prolonged Pre-Transplant Dialysis Duration as Identified by Machine Learning Consensus Clustering: Pathway to Personalized Care.

Longer pre-transplant dialysis duration is known to be associated with worse post-transplant outcomes. Our study aimed to cluster kidney transplant recipients with prolonged dialysis duration before transplant using an unsupervised machine learning approach to better assess heterogeneity within this cohort. We performed consensus cluster analysis based on recipient-, donor-, and transplant-related characteristics in 5092 kidney transplant recipients who had been on dialysis ≥ 10 years prior to transplant in the OPTN/UNOS database from 2010 to 2019. We characterized each assigned cluster and compared the posttransplant outcomes. Overall, the majority of patients with ≥10 years of dialysis duration were black (52%) or Hispanic (25%), with only a small number (17.6%) being moderately sensitized. Within this cohort, three clinically distinct clusters were identified. Cluster 1 patients were younger, non-diabetic and non-sensitized, had a lower body mass index (BMI) and received a kidney transplant from younger donors. Cluster 2 recipients were older, unsensitized and had a higher BMI; they received kidney transplant from older donors. Cluster 3 recipients were more likely to be female with a higher PRA. Compared to cluster 1, cluster 2 had lower 5-year death-censored graft (HR 1.40; 95% CI 1.16-1.71) and patient survival (HR 2.98; 95% CI 2.43-3.68). Clusters 1 and 3 had comparable death-censored graft and patient survival. Unsupervised machine learning was used to characterize kidney transplant recipients with prolonged pre-transplant dialysis into three clinically distinct clusters with variable but good post-transplant outcomes. Despite a dialysis duration ≥ 10 years, excellent outcomes were observed in most recipients, including those with moderate sensitization. A disproportionate number of minority recipients were observed within this cohort, suggesting multifactorial delays in accessing kidney transplantation.

Contrast-Induced Encephalopathy in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is an infrequent but serious neurological condition that occurs shortly after the administration of contrast during endovascular and angiography procedures. Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are considered to be at a higher risk of contrast medium neurotoxicity, due to the delayed elimination of the contrast medium. However, the occurrence and characteristics of CIE in CKD/ESKD patients have not been extensively investigated. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search, utilizing databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, up to September 2022. The purpose was to identify documented cases of CIE among patients with CKD or ESKD. Employing a random-effects model, we calculated the pooled incidence and odds ratio (OR) of CIE in CKD/ESKD patients. Results: Our search yielded a total of eleven articles, comprising nine case reports and two observational studies. Among these studies, 2 CKD patients and 12 ESKD patients with CIE were identified. The majority of the CKD/ESKD patients with CIE (93%) had undergone intra-arterial contrast media and/or endovascular procedures to diagnose acute cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. The male-to-female ratio was 64%, and the median age was 63 years (with an interquartile range of 55 to 68 years). In the two observational studies, the incidence of CIE was found to be 6.8% in CKD patients and 37.5% in ESKD patients, resulting in a pooled incidence of 16.4% (95% CI, 2.4%-60.7%) among the CKD/ESKD patients. Notably, CKD and ESKD were significantly associated with an increased risk of CIE, with ORs of 5.77 (95% CI, 1.37-24.3) and 223.5 (95% CI, 30.44-1641.01), respectively. The overall pooled OR for CIE in CKD/ESKD patients was 32.9 (95% CI, 0.89-1226.44). Although dialysis prior to contrast exposure did not prevent CIE, approximately 92% of CIE cases experienced recovery after undergoing dialysis following contrast exposure. However, the effectiveness of dialysis on CIE recovery remained uncertain, as there was no control group for comparison. Conclusions: In summary, our study indicates an association between CIE and CKD/ESKD. While patients with CIE showed signs of recovery after dialysis, further investigations are necessary, especially considering the lack of a control group, which made the effects of dialysis on CIE recovery uncertain.

Levofloxacin-Associated Bullous Pemphigoid in a Hemodialysis Patient After Kidney Transplant Failure.

BACKGROUND Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who require dialysis can develop a variety of skin conditions, such as pruritus, xerosis, skin infections, and autoimmune reactions. Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous disorder with an increasing incidence. It can be caused by over 90 medications, but levofloxacin-induced BP in hemodialysis patients has not yet been reported. This report is of a 27-year-old woman with ESRD on hemodialysis who developed BP after levofloxacin treatment. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old woman with hemodialysis after kidney transplantation failure was started with levofloxacin for suspected urinary tract infection 1.5 months prior to admission. Her urinary tract infection symptoms were improved after 3 weeks of levofloxacin treatment, but a serious rash developed, presenting with progressive bullous throughout the body and facial involvement. A thorough workup showed a remarkably elevated hemidesmosomal antigen, BP180 (116 RU/mL), and cutaneous indirect immunofluorescence on human salt-split skin substrate was positive for serum basement membrane zone IgG with an epidermal pattern. Skin biopsy direct immunofluorescence staining showed continuous linear C3 deposition along the basement membrane zone. Prednisone 60 mg daily was started with a taper schedule. She no longer had new skin rash during a follow-up of over 3 months. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of levofloxacin-induced BP in a patient undergoing hemodialysis. This report highlights the importance of recognizing skin reactions associated with ESRD in dialysis patients, the correct diagnosis by biopsy and histopathology, and the correct and timely management.

Comparison of hospitalization outcomes for delivery and resource utilization between pregnant women with kidney transplants and chronic kidney disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess outcomes of delivery hospitalizations, including acute kidney injury (AKI), obstetric and foetal events and resource utilization among pregnant women with kidney transplants compared with pregnant women with no known kidney disease and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stages 3-5. METHOD: Hospitalizations for delivery in the US were identified using the enhanced delivery identification method in the National Inpatient Sample dataset from the years 2009 to 2014. Diagnoses of CKD Stages 3-5, kidney transplantation, along with obstetric events, delivery methods and foetal events were identified using ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes. Patients with no known kidney disease group were identified by excluding any diagnoses of CKD, end stage kidney disease, and kidney transplant. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for the survey weights and matched regression was conducted to investigate the risk of maternal and foetal complications in women with kidney transplants, compared with women with no kidney transplants and no known kidney disease, and to women with CKD Stages 3-5. RESULT: A total of 5, 408, 215 hospitalizations resulting in deliveries were identified from 2009 to 2014, including 405 women with CKD Stages 3-5, 295 women with functioning kidney transplants, and 5, 405, 499 women with no known kidney disease. Compared with pregnant women with no known kidney disease, pregnant kidney transplant recipients were at higher odds of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR = 3.11, 95% CI [2.26, 4.28]), preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP syndrome (OR = 3.42, 95% CI [2.54, 4.60]), preterm delivery (OR = 2.46, 95% CI [1.75, 3.45]), foetal growth restriction (OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.01, 3.00]) and AKI (OR = 10.46, 95% CI [5.33, 20.56]). There were no significant differences in rates of gestational diabetes or caesarean section. Pregnant women with kidney transplants had 1.30-times longer lengths of stay and 1.28-times higher costs of hospitalization. However, pregnant women with CKD Stages 3-5 were at higher odds of AKI (OR = 5.29, 95% CI [2.41, 11.59]), preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP syndrome (OR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.07, 2.76]) and foetal deaths (OR = 3.20, 95% CI [1.06, 10.24]), and had 1.28-times longer hospital stays and 1.37-times higher costs of hospitalization compared with pregnant women with kidney transplant. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with kidney transplant were more likely to experience adverse events during delivery and had longer lengths of stay and higher total charges when compared with women with no known kidney disease. However, pregnant women with moderate to severe CKD were more likely to experience serious complications than kidney transplant recipients.

The Use of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA for Assessment of Allograft Rejection and Injury Status.

Patient monitoring after kidney transplantation (KT) for early detection of allograft rejection remains key in preventing allograft loss. Serum creatinine has poor predictive value to detect ongoing active rejection as its increase is not sensitive, nor specific for acute renal allograft rejection. Diagnosis of acute rejection requires allograft biopsy and histological assessment, which can be logistically challenging in some cases and carries inherent risk for complications related to procedure. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), DNA of donor origin in the blood of KT recipient arising from cells undergoing injury and death, has been examined as a potential surrogate marker for allograft rejection. A rise in dd-cfDNA levels precedes changes in serum creatinine allows early detections and use as a screening tool for allograft rejection. In addition, when used in conjunction with donor-specific antibodies (DSA), it increases the pre-biopsy probability of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) aiding the decision-making process. Advancements in noninvasive biomarker assays such as dd-cfDNA may offer the opportunity to improve and expand the spectrum of available diagnostic tools to monitor and detect risk for rejection and positively impact outcomes for KT recipients. In this this article, we discussed the evolution of dd-cfDNA assays and recent evidence of assessment of allograft rejection and injury status of KT by the use of dd-cfDNA.

Association between urologic malignancies and end-stage renal disease: A meta-analysis.

AIM: Previous studies have suggested a higher incidence of urologic malignancies in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. However, incidence trends of urologic malignancies in ESRD patients remain unclear. The aims of the present study were: (i) to investigate the pooled incidence/incidence trends; and (ii) to assess the risk of urologic malignancies in ESRD patients. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database from inception through April 2017. Studies that reported incidence or odds ratios of urologic malignancies among ESRD patients were included. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95%CI were calculated using a random-effect model. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42017067687). RESULTS: Nineteen observational studies with 1 931 073 ESRD patients were enrolled. The pooled estimated incidence of kidney cancer and urothelial cancers (carcinomas of the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis) in ESRD patients were 0.3% (95%CI: 0.2-0.5%) and 0.5% (95%CI: 0.3-0.8%), respectively. Meta-regression showed significant positive correlation between incidence of urologic malignancies in ESRD patients and year of study (slopes = +0.05 and +0.07, P < 0.001 for kidney cancer and urothelial cancers, respectively). Compared to non-ESRD status, ESRD was significantly associated with both kidney cancer (pooled OR 6.04; 95% CI 4.70-7.77) and urothelial cancers (pooled OR 4.37; 95% CI 2.40-7.96). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a significant association between ESRD and urologic malignancies. The overall estimated incidence rates of kidney cancer and urothelial cancers are 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. There is a significant positive correlation between the incidence of urologic malignancies and year of study.

Is Remote Ischemic Conditioning of Benefit to Patients Undergoing Kidney Transplantation?

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), an inevitable event during kidney transplantation procedure, can result in delayed graft function or even primary nonfunction. In addition to strategies to limit IRI such as advancements in organ allocation systems and preservation of organs, and reduction in cold and warm ischemia time, remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has attracted much attention in recent years. With promising findings and data suggesting a potential benefit of RIC in animal kidney transplantation models, a few clinical trials have investigated the use of RIC in human kidney transplantation. Unfortunately, the findings from these investigations have been inconclusive due to a number of factors such as diverse time points of RIC, limited sample size, and complexity of kidney transplant patients. This brief commentary aims to discuss the effects of RIC on clinical outcomes and proinflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Reactivation of BK polyomavirus during pregnancy, vertical transmission, and clinical significance: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown conflicting results on the prevalence and the risks of BK reactivation among pregnant women. In addition, the prevalence of vertical transmission and its clinical significance during pregnancy are not well studied. OBJECTIVES: The study's aims were (1) to investigate the prevalence, and (2) to assess the risk of BK Polyomavirus reactivation and its clinical significance in pregnant women and fetuses. STUDY DESIGN: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database from inception through May 31, 2017. We included studies that reported prevalence, relative risks, odds ratios, or hazard ratios of BK Polyomavirus reactivation during pregnancy. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI were calculated using a random-effect model. The protocol for this study is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42017063919). RESULTS: 17 observational studies with a total of 2553 pregnant women were enrolled. The estimated prevalence of BK seropositivity and BK in urine (viruria) among pregnant women were 79.2% (95%CI: 69.6%-86.4%) and 18.9% (95%CI: 10.4%-31.8%). When compared to non-pregnant women, the pooled ORs of BK seropositivity and BK viruria in pregnant women were 1.84 (95%CI: 1.05-3.22) and 6.02 (95%CI: 2.43-14.92), respectively. The estimated prevalence of positive BK-specific IgM antibody in cord blood was 4.9% (95%CI: 0.5%-36.2%). The data on the fetal effects of BK virus were limited. Although BK was detected in fetal organs, available data suggested no association between BK infection and adverse consequences such as miscarriage during pregnancy or childhood malignancy. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significantly increased risk of BK Polyomavirus reactivation during pregnancy. Although vertical transmission can occur with an overall estimated prevalence of 4.9%, there are currently no data suggesting harm to pregnant women and fetuses from BK Polyomavirus.