Subclinical Cognitive Impairment and Listing for Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment is common in patients with kidney disease and can affect physicians' perception and/or patients' ability to complete the pretransplant evaluation. We examined whether cognitive impairment influences the likelihood for transplant listing and whether patients with cognitive impairment take longer to be listed. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We conducted a single-center longitudinal cohort study. Patients presenting for their index kidney transplant evaluation were screened for cognitive impairment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. A score <26 indicated cognitive impairment. The transplant selection committee was blinded to the scores. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed time to active listing by level of cognition. A Cox proportional hazards model that included age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, coronary artery disease, and diabetes was constructed to evaluate the association between Montreal Cognitive Assessment score and listing for transplant. RESULTS: In total, 349 patients who underwent Montreal Cognitive Assessment testing at their initial visit were included in the analysis. Patients with cognitive impairment were more likely to be older, black, and smokers. The time to listing in patients with cognitive impairment was longer than the time to listing in those with no cognitive impairment (median time, 10.6 versus 6.3 months; log rank test P=0.01). Cognitive impairment was independently associated with a lower likelihood of being listed for transplant (hazard ratio, 0.93 per unit lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment score; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 0.99; P=0.02). A lower proportion of patients with cognitive impairment were listed compared with patients without cognitive impairment at 1 month (2% versus 11%), 6 months (17% versus 37%), and 1 year (23% versus 41%), (P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment is associated with a lower likelihood of being listed for kidney transplant, and is associated with longer time to transplant listing.

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies in renal transplant: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There are several monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies used in renal transplantation today, this article will discuss several agents, their updates and newer agents. RECENT FINDINGS: Antithymocyte globulin and interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor blocker continue to be used as induction agents. The risk of acute rejection was higher in IL-2 receptor blockers mainly in the first year, but graft survivals were similar in both groups long term. Belatacept is the only approved intravenous maintenance immunosuppressive therapy which provides the benefit of glomerular filtration rate preservation, but it was associated with a higher risk of acute rejection and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Bortezomib may help decrease donor-specific antibody levels, but there are limited data to support its use for desensitization or rejection. Eculizumab may help in antibody-mediated rejection in some cases but has not shown promising long-term effects in high-risk individuals. Newer agents have been continuously tested for improved efficacy and safety. SUMMARY: Transplantation is the standard of care for end-stage renal disease patients, but we still have a long way to go, as we need to improve long-term outcomes. The manipulation of the immune system is a delicate undertaking, with risks of adverse events; therefore, risk versus benefit needs to be carefully evaluated and treatment needs to be individualized.