Optimal Timing of Serum Creatinine Measurement for KDPI Scoring to Predict Postoperative Renal Function in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The widely employed Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) scoring system, designed for assessing deceased donors (DD), plays a pivotal role in predicting graft function post kidney transplantation (KT). Given the dynamic nature of renal function, including serum creatinine (sCr), in managing DDs, it remains uncertain optimal timing to use KDPI for assessing postoperative graft function. METHODS: In this retrospective review, we assessed 246 DDs who were managed within a donor management program from January 2010 to December 2021. We collected sCr values for KDPI scoring at admission, peak, and last measurements before KT. Recipient data included occurrence of slow graft function (SGF), delayed graft function (DGF), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at one-year post-transplantation (1 Y). Using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Pearson correlation analyses, we explored correlations of KDPI score (admission, peak, last) with graft function (SGF, DGF, GFR 1 Y). RESULTS: The average age of DDs and recipients was 49.78 ± 13.37 and 52.54 ± 10.49 years, respectively, with mean KDPI values at admission, peak, and last measurements of 62.36 ± 25.44, 66.94 ± 24.73, and 63.75 ± 25.80. After transplantation, SGF was observed in 81 recipients (32.9%) and DGF in 32 (13.0%). For SGF, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) from ROC analysis were 0.684 (95% CI, 0.615-0.753; P < .001) at admission, 0.691 (0.623-0.759; P < .001) at peak, and 0.697 (0.630-0.765; P < .001) at the last measurement. In predicting DGF, the corresponding AUC values were 0.746 (0.661-0.831; P < .001) at admission, 0.724 (0.637-0.810; P < .001) at peak, and 0.721 (0.643-0.809; P < .001) at the last. Moreover, KDPI scores at all time points-admission, peak, and last-moderately correlated with GFR 1 Y (R = -0.426, -0.423, -0.417). CONCLUSION: KDPI measurements at all time points, particularly admission, would be more effective in predicting DGF in DDKT.

Nationwide analysis of EVAR explantation outcomes in Korea: A comprehensive dataset study.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the primary treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, constituting 70%-80% of interventions. Despite initial benefits, long-term studies show increased mortality. Using nationwide data, this study assesses outcomes of EVAR, open aortic repair (OAR), and EVAR explantation (EE) in Korea, while exploring characteristics of late open conversion, including the rising EE incidence. METHODS: Employing the National Health Insurance Service database, covering health-related data for nearly 50 million Koreans, the study spanned from 2002 to 2020. Patients with AAA diagnoses (I71.3 or I71.4) were categorized into OAR, EVAR, and EE groups based on procedural codes. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, Cox proportional hazard models, and multivariate Cox regression, assessed baseline characteristics, mortality risks, and factors within the EE group. RESULTS: The analysis encompassed 26,195 patients, with 66.19% in the EVAR group, 31.87% in the OAR group, and 1.94% in the EE group. EVAR cases steadily increased from 2002 to 2018. Survival rates favored EVAR, followed by OAR and EE. 30-day survival was lower in EE than EVAR. Multivariate analysis for EE revealed no risk factors for 30-days survival but identified age, chronic kidney disease, high Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, and less than 6 months since EVAR as risk factors for overall mortality. CONCLUSION: Rising EE trends with increased EVAR adoption, particularly evident in the Korean dataset, underscore inferior outcomes. This highlights the critical need for strategic initial treatment decisions and timely interventions to enhance overall results and mitigate the unfavorable EE incidence.

Challenges and potential improvements in the Accreditation Standards of the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation 2019 (ASK2019) derived through meta-evaluation: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify challenges and potential improvements in Korea's medical education accreditation process according to the Accreditation Standards of the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation 2019 (ASK2019). Meta-evaluation was conducted to survey the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders, including self-assessment committee members, site visit committee members, administrative staff, and medical school professors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using surveys sent to 40 medical schools. The 332 participants included self-assessment committee members, site visit team members, administrative staff, and medical school professors. The t-test, one-way analysis of variance and the chi-square test were used to analyze and compare opinions on medical education accreditation between the categories of participants. RESULTS: Site visit committee members placed greater importance on the necessity of accreditation than faculty members. A shared positive view on accreditation's role in improving educational quality was seen among self-evaluation committee members and professors. Administrative staff highly regarded the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation's reliability and objectivity, unlike the self-evaluation committee members. Site visit committee members positively perceived the clarity of accreditation standards, differing from self-assessment committee members. Administrative staff were most optimistic about implementing standards. However, the accreditation process encountered challenges, especially in duplicating content and preparing self-evaluation reports. Finally, perceptions regarding the accuracy of final site visit reports varied significantly between the self-evaluation committee members and the site visit committee members. CONCLUSION: This study revealed diverse views on medical education accreditation, highlighting the need for improved communication, expectation alignment, and stakeholder collaboration to refine the accreditation process and quality.

Clinical significance of the living kidney donor profile index for predicting long-term posttransplant outcomes: results from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry.

Background: The usefulness of the living kidney donor profile index (LKDPI) has not been widely demonstrated; therefore, it requires verification before clinical application. We analyzed the LKDPI using data from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) to confirm whether the LKDPI can be used to predict the survival of allografts in living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) patients in Korea. Methods: The study population was obtained from the KOTRY database. A total of 2,598 kidney recipients registered in the KOTRY database were enrolled between May 2014 and December 2020. Donor and recipient information was observed, and the LKDPI was measured. Results: Median LKDPI score was 15.5 with a follow-up duration of 33.7 ± 16.1 months. According to LKDPI scores (group 1, <0; group 2, 0-20; group 3, 20-40; and group 4, >40), LKDPI group 4 had significantly higher death-censored graft loss than LKDPI group 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06- 3.40; p = 0.03). When divided based on the cutoff value (LKDPI, 36.6), the high LKDPI group had higher graft loss than the low LKDPI group (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.37-3.34; p < 0.001). When follow-up was repeated after transplantation, it was confirmed that the higher the LKDPI value was, the lower the average estimated glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study confirmed that LKDPI can serve as an independent predictor for assessing the risk of allograft failure and transplant outcomes in Korean LDKT patients.

Changes in glucose metabolism among recipients with diabetes 1 year after kidney transplant: a multicenter 1-year prospective study.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common and crucial metabolic complication in kidney transplantation. It is necessary to analyze the course of glucose metabolism in patients who already have diabetes after receiving a transplant. In this study, we investigated the changes in glucose metabolism after transplantation, and a detailed analysis was performed on some patients whose glycemic status improved. Methods: The multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted between 1 April 2016 and 31 September 2018. Adult patients (aged 20 to 65 years) who received kidney allografts from living or deceased donors were included. Seventy-four subjects with pre-transplant diabetes were followed up for 1 year after kidney transplantation. Diabetes remission was defined as the results of the oral glucose tolerance test performed one year after transplantation and the presence or absence of diabetes medications. After 1-year post-transplant, 74 recipients were divided into the persistent diabetes group (n = 58) and the remission group (n = 16). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify clinical factors associated with diabetes remission. Results: Of 74 recipients, 16 (21.6%) showed diabetes remission after 1-year post-transplant. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance numerically increased in both groups throughout the first year after transplantation and significantly increased in the persistent diabetes group. The insulinogenic index (IGI30) value significantly increased only in the remission group, and the IGI30 value remained low in the persistent diabetes group. In univariate analysis, younger age, newly diagnosed diabetes before transplantation, low baseline hemoglobin A1c, and high baseline IGI30 were significantly associated with remission of diabetes. After multivariate analysis, only newly diagnosed diabetes before transplantation and IGI30 at baseline were associated with remission of diabetes (34.00 [1.192-969.84], P = 0.039, and 17.625 [1.412-220.001], P = 0.026, respectively). Conclusion: In conclusion, some kidney recipients with pre-transplant diabetes have diabetes remission 1 year after transplantation. Our prospective study revealed that preserved insulin secretory function and newly diagnosed diabetes at the time of kidney transplantation were favorable factors for which glucose metabolism did not worsen or improve 1 year after kidney transplantation.

Characteristics and management of thrombotic microangiopathy in kidney transplantation.

Thrombotic microangiopathy is not a rare complication of kidney transplantation and is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury with extensive thrombosis of the arterioles and capillaries. Various factors can cause thrombotic microangiopathy after kidney transplantation, including surgery, warm and cold ischemia-reperfusion injury, exposure to immunosuppressants, infection, and rejection. Many recent studies on atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome have described genetic abnormalities related to excessive activation of the alternative complement pathway. The affected patients' genetic backgrounds revealed significant genetic heterogeneity in several genes involved in complement regulation, including the complement factor H, complement factor H-related proteins, complement factor I, complement factor B, complement component 3, and CD46 genes in the alternative complement pathway. Although clinical studies have provided a better understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases, the diverse triggers present in the transplant environment can lead to thrombotic microangiopathy, along with various genetic predispositions, and it is difficult to identify the genetic background in various clinical conditions. Given the poor prognosis of posttransplant thrombotic microangiopathy, further research is necessary to improve the diagnosis and treatment protocols based on risk factors or genetic predisposition, and to develop new therapeutic agents.

Personalized Prediction of Kidney Function Decline and Network Analysis of the Risk Factors after Kidney Transplantation Using Nationwide Cohort Data.

We developed a machine-learning-based model that could predict a decrease in one-year graft function after kidney transplantation, and investigated the risk factors of the decreased function. A total of 4317 cases were included from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry (2014−2019). An XGBoost model was trained to predict the recipient's one-year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 using 112 pre- and peri-transplantation variables. The network of model factors was drawn using inter-factor partial correlations and the statistical significance of each factor. The model with seven features achieved an area under the curve of 0.82, sensitivity of 0.73, and specificity of 0.79. The model prediction was associated with five-year graft and rejection-free survival. Post-transplantation hospitalization >25 days and eGFR ≥ 88.0 were the prominent risk and preventive factors, respectively. Donor age and post-transplantation eGFR < 59.8 were connected to multiple risk factors on the network. Therefore, careful donor−recipient matching in older donors, and avoiding pre-transplantation risk factors, would reduce the risk of graft dysfunction. The model might improve long-term graft outcomes by supporting early detection of graft dysfunction, and proactive risk factor control.

The effect of periodontitis on recipient outcomes after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Recent several reports have demonstrated that periodontitis is prevalent and adversely affects the survival in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease. However, its impact on transplant outcomes remains uncertain. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 136 and 167 patients, respectively, who underwent living donor kidney transplantation (KT) at Seoul National University Hospital from July 2012 to August 2016 and Korea University Hospital from April 2008 to October 2018. We divided patients into three groups according to stages of periodontitis based on a new classification system. RESULTS: Patients with severe periodontitis were older, had a higher prevalence of diabetes, a higher body mass index and C-reactive protein level, a lower cardiac output, and were more likely to be smokers, indicating its association with chronic systemic inflammation. After KT, stage IV periodontitis was independently associated with a lower incidence of acute T cell-mediated rejection, suggesting the possible effect of periodontitis on immune function. However, 1-year and 3-year estimated glomerular filtration rates were not different. Among the KT recipients followed up more than 3 years, new-onset cardiovascular disease occurred in nine patients, and coronary artery disease occurred more frequently in patients with stage IV periodontitis. However, diabetes was the independent predictor of new-onset coronary artery disease in multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that periodontitis might be an important player in determining posttransplant outcomes in recipients. Further interventional trials to test whether treating periodontitis could modify transplant outcome are needed.

Eculizumab as rescue therapy in a kidney transplant recipient with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report.

A 61-year-old female patient with chronic kidney disease due to diabetes mellitus and hypertension-induced nephropathy received a deceased donor kidney transplant in March 2020. In July 2020, she was transferred from a local hospital due to the exacerbation of general weakness and diarrhea. Upon her arrival, we noticed a high level of serum creatinine (sCr) of 1.5 mg/dL and a decrease in urine output. Her laboratory results indicated significant hemolysis, with a hemoglobin level of 7.0 g/dL, platelet count of 20 ×103/µL, and a lactate dehydrogenase level of 3,207 IU/L. Kidney biopsy showed severe thrombotic microangiopathy without any evidence of acute rejection. Under the impression of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), we immediately started plasmapheresis and hemodialysis for anuria. Eculizumab was considered as a kidney graft rescue therapy since her sCr level was not effectively decreased, and her anuria continued despite hemodialysis and plasmapheresis. Eculizumab (900 mg) was administered weekly for 4 weeks. An additional 600 mg of eculizumab was administered on the day of plasmapheresis. Since the patient's laboratory data gradually improved, hemodialysis and plasmapheresis were ceased on admission day 37. After that, eculizumab was administered biweekly (1,200 mg) two more times. The patient's sCr and platelet count normalized after 2 months of eculizumab treatment. Based on our experience, a shorter interval between the clinical diagnosis of aHUS and administration of eculizumab increases the likelihood of rescuing the kidney.

Impact of acute kidney injury on graft outcomes of deceased donor kidney transplantation: A nationwide registry-based matched cohort study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Favorable long-term and short-term graft survival and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT) from deceased donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) have been reported. However, few studies have evaluated effects of donor AKI status on graft outcomes after KT in Asian population. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate graft function after KTs from donors with AKI compared to matched KTs from donors without AKI using a multicenter cohort in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 1,466 KTs collected in Korean Organ Transplant Registry between April 2014 and December 2017. KTs from AKI donors (defined as donors with serum creatinine level ≥ 2 mg/dL) and non-AKI donors (275 cases for each group) were enrolled using a 1:1 propensity score matching. Graft outcomes including graft and patient survival, delayed graft function (DGF), rejection rate, and serially measured estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated. RESULTS: After propensity matching, KTs from AKI donors showed higher rate of DGF (44.7% vs. 24.0%, p < 0.001). However, the rejection rate was not significantly different between the two groups (KTs from AKI donors vs. KTs from non-AKI donors). eGFRs measured after 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years were not significantly different by donor AKI status. With median follow-up duration of 3.52 years, cox proportional hazards models revealed hazard ratio of 0.973 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.584 to 1.621), 1.004 (95% CI, 0.491 to 2.054) and 0.808 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.426 to 1.532) for overall graft failure, death-censored graft failure and patient mortality, respectively, in KTs from AKI donors compared to KTs from non-AKI donors as a reference. CONCLUSIONS: KTs from AKI donors showed comparable outcomes to KTs from non-AKI donors, despite a higher incidence of DGF. Results of this study supports the validity of using kidneys from deceased AKI donors in Asian population.

Impact of recipient and donor smoking in living-donor kidney transplantation: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

The smoking status of kidney transplant recipients and living donors has not been explored concurrently in a prospective study, and the synergistic adverse impact on outcomes remains uncertain. The self-reported smoking status and frequency were obtained from recipients and donors at the time of kidney transplantation in a prospective multicenter longitudinal cohort study (NCT02042963). Smoking status was categorized as "ever smoker" (current and former smokers collectively) or "never smoker." Among 858 eligible kidney transplant recipients and the 858 living donors, 389 (45.3%) and 241 (28.1%) recipients were considered ever smokers at the time of transplant. During the median follow-up period of 6 years, the rate of death-censored graft failure was significantly higher in ever-smoker recipients than in never-smoker recipients (adjusted HR, 2.82; 95% CI 1.01-7.87; P = 0.048). A smoking history of >20 pack-years was associated with a significantly higher rate of death-censored graft failure than a history of ≤20 pack-years (adjusted HR, 2.83; 95% CI 1.19-6.78; P = 0.019). No donor smoking effect was found in terms of graft survival. The smoking status of the recipients and donors or both did not affect the rate of biopsy-proven acute rejection, major adverse cardiac events, all-cause mortality, or post-transplant diabetes mellitus. Taken together, the recipient's smoking status before kidney transplantation is dose-dependently associated with impaired survival.

Outcomes and factors leading to graft failure in kidney transplants from deceased donors with acute kidney injury-A retrospective cohort study.

Due to shortage of donor, kidney transplants (KTs) from donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) are expanding. Although previous studies comparing clinical outcomes between AKI and non-AKI donors in KTs have shown comparable results, data on high-volume analysis of KTs outcomes with AKI donors are limited. This study aimed to analyze the selection trends of AKI donors and investigate the impact of AKI on graft failure using the United states cohort data. We analyzed a total 52,757 KTs collected in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient (SRTR) from 2010 to 2015. The sample included 4,962 (9.4%) cases of KTs with AKI donors (creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dL). Clinical characteristics of AKI and non-AKI donors were analyzed and outcomes of both groups were compared. We also analyzed risk factors for graft failure in AKI donor KTs. Although the incidence of delayed graft function was higher in recipients of AKI donors compared to non-AKI donors, graft and patient survival were not significantly different between the two groups. We found donor hypertension, cold ischemic time, the proportion of African American donors, and high KDPI were risk factors for graft failure in AKI donor KTs. KTs from deceased donor with AKI showed comparable outcomes. Thus, donors with AKI need to be considered more actively to expand donor pool. Caution is still needed when donors have additional risk factors of graft failure.

Impact of changes in waist-to-hip ratio after kidney transplantation on cardiovascular outcomes.

Recently, waist to hip ratio (WHR) has been reported to be a better indicator of predicting cardiovascular outcomes than body mass index (BMI). We evaluated the effects of pre or post-transplant changes of WHR or BMI on the new onset cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in recipients of kidney transplantation (KT). A total of 572 patients were enrolled from a multicenter observational cohort (KNOW-KT). Measurement of WHR and BMI was done at pre-KT, first and last visit year after KT, and the changes of these parameters and their effect on the incident CVD were analyzed. During the median follow up period of 32.73 ± 15.26 months, the new onset CVD developed in 31 out of 572 patients. The older age, diabetes mellitus and increase of WHR from pre KT or previous follow up year were found to be independent factors predicting the new onset CVD in these patients. However, baseline BMI, WHR prior to KT did not predict the incident CVD. The new metabolic burden, presented as increase of WHR in KT patients has a critical impact on the development of new onset CVD. Strategies to prevent the metabolic burden after KT might improve cardiovascular outcomes and patient's survival.

Outcomes of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation in older patients: a national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation (ABOi LDKT) in older individuals have not been established. METHODS: This multicentric observational study, using data from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry database, included 634 older patients (≥60 years) undergoing kidney transplantation. We compared clinical outcomes of ABOi LDKT (n = 80) with those of ABO-compatible LDKT (ABOc LDKT, n = 222) and deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT, n = 332) in older patients. RESULTS: Death-censored graft survival was similar between the three groups (P = 0.141). Patient survival after ABOi LDKT was similar to that after ABOc LDKT (P = 0.489) but higher than that after DDKT (P = 0.038). In multivariable analysis, ABOi LDKT was not risk factor (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-10.38, P = 0.548), while DDKT was significant risk factor (HR 3.49, 95% CI 1.01-12.23, P = 0.049) for patient survival. Although ABOi LDKT showed higher biopsy-proven acute rejection than ABOc LDKT, the difference was not significant after adjustment with covariates. However, ABOi LDKT was significant risk factor for infection (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.12-2.45, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: In older patients, ABOi LDKT was not inferior to ABOc LDKT and was superior to DDKT for patient survival. ABOi LDKT can be recommended for older patients, rather than waiting for DDKT.

Insulin Secretion and Insulin Resistance Trajectories over 1 Year after Kidney Transplantation: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the changing patterns of insulin secretion and resistance and risk factors contributing to the development of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in kidney recipients under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression regimen during 1 year after transplantation. METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective cohort study. Of the 168 subjects enrolled in this study, we analyzed a total 87 kidney transplant recipients without diabetes which was assessed by oral glucose tolerance test before transplantation. We evaluated the incidence of PTDM and followed up the index of insulin secretion (insulinogenic index [IGI]) and resistance (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) at 3, 6, 9 months, and 1 year after transplantation by oral glucose tolerance test and diabetes treatment. We also assessed the risk factors for incident PTDM. RESULTS: PTDM developed in 23 of 87 subjects (26.4%) during 1 year after transplantation. More than half of total PTDM (56.5%) occurred in the first 3 months after transplantation. During 1 year after transplantation, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was increased in both PTDM and no PTDM group. In no PTDM group, the increase in insulin secretory function to overcome insulin resistance was also observed. However, PTDM group showed no increase in insulin secretion function (IGI). Old age, status of prediabetes and episode of acute rejection were significantly associated with the development of PTDM. CONCLUSION: In tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive drugs regimen, impaired insulin secretory function for reduced insulin sensitivity contributed to the development of PTDM than insulin resistance during 1 year after transplantation.

Psychological characteristics and associations between living kidney transplantation recipients and biologically related or unrelated donors.

BACKGROUND: Although recipients and donors in living kidney transplantation experience psychological distress-including depression and anxiety-during the pre-operative period, very few studies have evaluated the related psychological reactions. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and correlations of the mood states and personality of recipients and donors (genetically related and unrelated) of living kidney transplantations. METHODS: A total of 66 pairs of living donors and recipients were enrolled from April 2008 to June 2019 in this study, of whom 53 eligible pairs of living donors and recipients were included in the retrospective analysis of their psychological assessments in the pre-transplantation states. While participants' personality patterns were assessed using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), mood states were evaluated via both the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and Spearman's correlation analyses. RESULTS: The recipient group showed significantly higher scores for Hypochondriasis (t = - 4.49, p = .0001), Depression (t = - 3.36, p = .0015), and Hysteria (t = - 3.30, p = .0018) of MMPI-2 and CES-D (t = - 3.93, p = .0003) than the donor group. The biologically unrelated recipient group reported higher scores of Hypochondriasis (t = - 3.37, p = .003) and Depression (t = - 2.86, p = 0.0098) than the unrelated donor group. Higher scores for Hypochondriasis (t = - 3.00, p = 0.0054) and CES-D (t = - 3.53, p = .0014) were found in the related recipient group. A positive association was found for Hypomania (r = .40, p = .003) of MMPI-2, STAI-S (r = .36, p = .009), and CES-D (r = .36, p = .008) between the recipient and donor groups. CONCLUSIONS: Recipients suffered from a higher level of depression and somatic concerns than donors before living kidney transplantation. Psychological problems like depression and anxiety can occur in both living kidney transplantation donors and recipients. This study suggests that clinicians must pay attention to mood states not only in recipients but also in donors because of emotional contagion.

Tacrolimus trough levels higher than 6 ng/mL might not be required after a year in stable kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding optimal tacrolimus (TAC) trough levels after 1 year post-transplant in stable kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who have not experienced renal or cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 1-year post-transplant TAC trough levels on long-term renal and cardiovascular outcomes and opportunistic infections in stable KTRs. METHODS: KTRs receiving TAC with mycophenolate-based immunosuppression who did not experience renal or cardiovascular outcomes within 1 year post-transplant were enrolled from a multicenter observational cohort study. Renal outcome was defined as a composite of biopsy-proven acute rejection, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and death-censored graft loss. Cardiovascular outcome was defined as a composite of de novo cardiomegaly, left ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiovascular events. Opportunistic infections were defined as the occurrence of BK virus or cytomegalovirus infections. RESULTS: A total of 603 eligible KTRs were divided into the low-level TAC (LL-TAC) and high-level TAC (HL-TAC) groups based on a median TAC level of 5.9 ng/mL (range 1.3-14.3) at 1 year post-transplant. The HL-TAC group had significantly higher TAC trough levels at 2, 3, 4, and 5 years compared with the levels of the LL-TAC group. During the mean follow-up of 63.7 ± 13.0 months, there were 121 renal outcomes and 224 cardiovascular outcomes. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, LL-TAC and HL-TAC were not independent risk factors for renal and cardiovascular outcomes, respectively. No significant differences in the development of opportunistic infections and de novo donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies and renal allograft function were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TAC trough levels after 1 year post-transplant remained at a similar level until the fifth year after kidney transplantation and were not directly associated with long-term outcomes in stable Korean KTRs who did not experience renal or cardiovascular outcomes. Therefore, in Asian KTRs with a stable clinical course, TAC trough levels higher than approximately 6 ng/mL might not be required after a year of kidney transplantation.

Efficacy of the transjugular approach in endovascular intervention for hemodialysis access comparing with conventional approach.

PURPOSE: Compared with the conventional approach, the benefits of the transjugular approach in endovascular intervention for hemodialysis access avoids complications due to direct puncture and reduces direct radiation exposure to the hands of operator. The aim of this non-inferiority study was to evaluate the efficacy of the transjugular approach in endovascular intervention for hemodialysis access comparing with conventional approach. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed endovascular intervention for hemodialysis access performed in our hospital from 2012 to 2016, divided into the conventional approach group and the transjugular approach group. The hemodialysis access survival rate, re-intervention survival rate, and lesion characteristics were comparatively evaluated. RESULTS: We included 223 cases in 118 patients (146 cases with conventional approaches and 77 cases with transjugular approaches). There was a higher incidence of thrombosis with the conventional approach (p < 0.001), however, no significant difference in the hemodialysis access type or main lesion location. The transjugular approach showed either a better hemodialysis access survival rate (p = 0.017) and a trend toward improved re-intervention survival rate (p = 0.098) than the conventional approach. Following classification according to the presence of thrombus, there was no significant difference in either the hemodialysis access survival rate or the re-intervention survival rate between the approaches with or without thrombus. CONCLUSION: The transjugular approach could be performed in most cases and was similar to the conventional approach in terms of outcomes. The transjugular approach should be considered as an alternative to either replace or use in combination with the conventional approach in endovascular intervention for hemodialysis access.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening is important for surgeons.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Perioperative surgical site infection (SSI) remains a morbid complication even in successful surgical procedures. We encountered an unusual experience of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-related SSI outbreak in our hospital; therefore, we conducted an epidemiologic analysis to determine the origin of SSIs due to MRSA. METHODS: Among 102 consecutive patients who underwent hepatobiliopancreatic operations, SSIs occurred in eight cases. Infection surveillance regarding the operative environment was carried out. We analyzed the possible risk factors for this infectious outbreak in our institution. RESULTS: Patients with SSI tended to be older (p=0.293), had variable operation fields (p=0.020), more cancer-related operation (p=0.003), less laparoscopic surgery (p=0.007), performed in operation room 1 (p=0.004), prolonged operation time (p<0.001) and had longer hospital stays (p=0.002). After propensity score (PS) matching, there was the only significant difference in the participation of surgeon D as a second assistant (p=0.001) between the SSI and non-SSI group. After PS matching, surgeon D as a second assistant was the only significant risk factor for MRSA SSI in the univariate (p=0.001) and multivariate analysis (p=0.004, hazard ratio=25.088, 95% confidence interval=2.759-228.149). CONCLUSIONS: Outbreak of SSIs occurred due to transmission of MRSA from a surgeon to patients despite the standard regulation of infection control. These SSIs were associated with an excessive incidence of surgeon's nasal and hand carriage of the MRSA strain identified in the surgeon via cultures. We recommend the preoperative regular nasal and hand screening for MRSA among surgeons.

Pretransplant Osteoporosis and Osteopenia are Risk Factors for Fractures After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: There is a high risk of fracture after kidney transplantation (KT). Recipients of KT are susceptible to persistent hyperparathyroidism and other disorders of bone and mineral metabolism. However, the risk factors for fractures after KT remain uncertain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for fracture after KT. METHODS: A total of 941 recipients of KT were enrolled from a multicenter observational cohort study in Korea from 2012 to 2016. The biochemical markers were measured at the time of KT, then annually for 5 years following KT. All fracture events were recorded. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for the association of risk factors with fractures. RESULTS: Twenty-two fractures had occurred in 20 patients during the study period. Baseline and serial changes of mineral and bone biochemical markers were similar between fracture and nonfracture patient groups. Among the total study population, 104 patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis and 422 patients were diagnosed with osteopenia in a pretransplant bone mineral density test. In a multivariate Cox analysis, pretransplant osteoporosis (HR = 11.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28-60.69; P = .003) and pretransplant osteopenia (HR = 5.21; 95% CI, 1.15-23.57; P = .032) were independent risk factors for fracture in recipients of KT. CONCLUSIONS: Pretransplant osteoporosis and osteopenia were independent risk factors for fracture after KT. More careful monitoring of bone mineral density before and after KT might be beneficial to predict the risk for fracture after KT.