Trabecular Bone Score Improves Early After Successful Kidney Transplantation Irrespective of Antiresorptive Therapy and Changes in Bone Mineral Density.

Background: Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a new tool to assess trabecular bone microarchitecture based on standard dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of lumbar spine images. TBS may be important to assess bone quality and fracture susceptibility in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study aimed to investigate the effect of different bone therapies on TBS in KTRs. Methods: We reanalyzed DXA scans to assess TBS in 121 de novo KTRs at baseline, 10 wk, and 1 y. This cohort, between 2007 and 2009, participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effect of ibandronate versus placebo in addition to vitamin D and calcium. Results: Although bone mineral density (BMD) Z scores showed a subtle decrease in the first weeks, TBS Z scores increased from baseline to 10 wk for both treatment groups, followed by a slight decline at 12 mo. When comparing treatment groups and adjusting for baseline TBS, there were no differences found in TBS at 12 mo (P = 0.419). Correlation between TBS and BMD at baseline was weak (Spearman's ρ = 0.234, P = 0.010), and change in TBS was not correlated with changes in lumbar spine BMD in either of the groups (ρ = 0.003, P = 0.973). Conclusions: Treatment with ibandronate or vitamin D and calcium did not affect bone quality as measured by TBS in de novo KTRs, but TBS increased early, irrespective of intervention. Changes in TBS and BMD during the study period were not correlated, indicating that these measurements reflect different aspects of bone integrity. TBS may complement BMD assessment in identifying KTRs with a high fracture risk.

Systemic inflammation early after kidney transplantation is associated with long-term graft loss: a cohort study.

Background: Early graft loss following kidney transplantation is mainly a result of acute rejection or surgical complications, while long-term kidney allograft loss is more complex. We examined the association between systemic inflammation early after kidney transplantation and long-term graft loss, as well as correlations between systemic inflammation scores and inflammatory findings in biopsies 6 weeks and 1 year after kidney transplantation. Methods: We measured 21 inflammatory biomarkers 10 weeks after transplantation in 699 patients who were transplanted between 2009 and 2012 at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Norway. Low-grade inflammation was assessed with predefined inflammation scores based on specific biomarkers: one overall inflammation score and five pathway-specific scores. Surveillance or indication biopsies were performed in all patients 6 weeks after transplantation. The scores were tested in Cox regression models. Results: Median follow-up time was 9.1 years (interquartile range 7.6-10.7 years). During the study period, there were 84 (12.2%) death-censored graft losses. The overall inflammation score was associated with long-term kidney graft loss both when assessed as a continuous variable (hazard ratio 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P = 0.005) and as a categorical variable (4th quartile: hazard ratio 3.19, 95% CI 1.43-7.10, P = 0.005). In the pathway-specific analyses, fibrogenesis activity and vascular inflammation stood out. The vascular inflammation score was associated with inflammation in biopsies 6 weeks and 1 year after transplantation, while the fibrinogenesis score was associated with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Conclusion: In conclusion, a systemic inflammatory environment early after kidney transplantation was associated with biopsy-confirmed kidney graft pathology and long-term kidney graft loss. The systemic vascular inflammation score correlated with inflammatory findings in biopsies 6 weeks and 1 year after transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus High-risk Kidney Transplant Recipients Show No Difference in Long-term Outcomes Following Preemptive Versus Prophylactic Management.

BACKGROUND: Following kidney transplantation (KT), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains an important challenge. Both prophylactic and preemptive antiviral protocols are used for CMV high-risk kidney recipients (donor seropositive/recipient seronegative; D+/R-). We performed a nationwide comparison of the 2 strategies in de novo D+/R- KT recipients accessing long-term outcomes. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective study was conducted from 2007 to 2018, with follow-up until February 1, 2022. All adult D+/R- and R+ KT recipients were included. During the first 4 y, D+/R- recipients were managed preemptively, changing to 6 mo of valganciclovir prophylaxis from 2011. To adjust for the 2 time eras, de novo intermediate-risk (R+) recipients, who received preemptive CMV therapy throughout the study period, served as longitudinal controls for possible confounders. RESULTS: A total of 2198 KT recipients (D+/R-, n = 428; R+, n = 1770) were included with a median follow-up of 9.4 (range, 3.1-15.1) y. As expected, a greater proportion experienced a CMV infection in the preemptive era compared with the prophylactic era and with a shorter time from KT to CMV infection ( P < 0.001). However, there were no differences in long-term outcomes such as patient death (47/146 [32%] versus 57/282 [20%]; P = 0.3), graft loss (64/146 [44%] versus 71/282 [25%]; P = 0.5), or death censored graft loss (26/146 [18%] versus 26/282 [9%]; P = 0.9) in the preemptive versus prophylactic era. Long-term outcomes in R+ recipients showed no signs of sequential era-related bias. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in relevant long-term outcomes between preemptive and prophylactic CMV-preventive strategies in D+/R- kidney transplant recipients.

Cardiovascular Risk Following Conversion to Belatacept From a Calcineurin Inhibitor in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Rationale & Objective: In kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), a belatacept-based immunosuppressive regimen is associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular (CV) risk factors compared with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based regimens. Our objective was to compare the calculated CV risk between belatacept and CNI (predominantly tacrolimus) treatments using a validated model developed for KTRs. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, investigator-initiated, international multicenter trial. Setting & Participants: KTRs aged 18-80 years with a stable graft function (estimated glomerular filtration rate > 20 mL/min/1.73 m2), 3-60 months after transplantation, treated with tacrolimus or cyclosporine A, were eligible for inclusion. Intervention: Continuation with a CNI-based regimen or switch to belatacept for 12 months. Outcomes: Comparison of the change in the estimated 7-year risk of major adverse CV events and all-cause mortality, changes in traditional markers of CV health, as well as measures of arterial stiffness. Results: Among the 105 KTRs randomized, we found no differences between the treatment groups in the predicted risk for major adverse CV events or mortality. Diastolic blood pressure, measured both centrally by using a SphygmoCor device and peripherally, was lower after the belatacept treatment than after the CNI treatment. The mean changes in traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, including kidney transplant function, were otherwise similar in both the treatment groups. The belatacept group had 4 acute rejection episodes; 2 were severe rejections, of which 1 led to graft loss. Limitations: The heterogeneous baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate and time from transplantation to trial enrollment in the participants. A limited study duration of 1 year. Conclusions: We found no effects on the calculated CV risk by switching to the belatacept treatment. Participants in the belatacept group had not only lower central and peripheral diastolic blood pressure but also a higher rejection rate. Funding: The trial has received a financial grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Trial Registration: EudraCT no. 2013-001178-20.

High Plasma Oxalate Levels Early After Kidney Transplantation Are Associated With Impaired Long-Term Outcomes.

Background: Elevated levels of oxalate are common in renal failure patients and non-hyperoxaluria disease, and may cause damage after transplantation. We examined outcomes after 15 years for 167 kidney transplant recipients who had plasma oxalate measured early after transplantation. Analyses included plasma oxalate, recipient age, donor age, live donor, HLA-DR mismatch, mGFR, and smoking. Results: Median age was 52 years (range 18-81), 63% were male and 38% had live donors. Median plasma oxalate concentration 10 weeks after transplantation was 9.0 µmol/L (range 2.7-53.0), one third above the upper reference limit (11.0 µmol/L). Multivariable analysis revealed upper quartile plasma oxalate (>13.0 µmol/L, p = 0.008), recipient age (p < 0.001), deceased donor (p = 0.003), and current smoking (p < 0.001) as significant factors associated with patient survival. Upper quartile plasma oxalate (p = 0.021), recipient age (p = 0.001), deceased donor kidney (p = 0.001), HLA-DR mismatch (p = 0.015), and current smoking (p = 0.014) were also associated with graft loss. Factors associated with death censored graft losses were donor age (p = 0.012), deceased donor (p = 0.032), and HLA-DR mis-matched kidneys (p = 0.005) but plasma oxalate was not (p = 0.188). Conclusions: Plasma oxalate in the upper quartile early after transplantation was significantly associated with impaired long-term patient survival and graft losses, but not when censored for death.

Inflammation in the early phase after kidney transplantation is associated with increased long-term all-cause mortality.

In the general population, low-grade inflammation has been established as a risk factor for all-cause mortality. We hypothesized that an inflammatory milieu beyond the time of recovery from the surgical trauma could be associated with increased long-term mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This cohort study included 1044 KTRs. Median follow-up time post-engraftment was 10.3 years. Inflammation was assessed 10 weeks after transplantation by different composite inflammation scores based on 21 biomarkers. We constructed an overall inflammation score and five pathway-specific inflammation scores (fibrogenesis, vascular inflammation, metabolic inflammation, growth/angiogenesis, leukocyte activation). Mortality was assessed with Cox regression models adjusted for traditional risk factors. A total of 312 (29.9%) patients died during the follow-up period. The hazard ratio (HR) for death was 4.71 (95% CI: 2.85-7.81, p < .001) for patients in the highest quartile of the overall inflammation score and HRs 2.35-2.54 (95% CI: 1.40-3.96, 1.52-4.22, p = .001) for patients in the intermediate groups. The results were persistent when the score was analyzed as a continuous variable (HR 1.046, 95% CI: 1.033-1.056, p < .001). All pathway-specific analyses showed the same pattern with HRs ranging from 1.19 to 2.70. In conclusion, we found a strong and consistent association between low-grade systemic inflammation 10 weeks after kidney transplantation and long-term mortality.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate as a measurement of kidney function. / Estimert glomerulær filtrasjonshastighet som mål på nyrefunksjon.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate is an established, routine clinical measurement for kidney function, but the estimate has limitations and cannot be used in all clinical situations. Estimated glomerular filtration rate has a high coefficient of variation, and deviations in the patient's height, weight or muscle mass may result in an imprecise estimate. If an accurate measurement of kidney function is essential, glomerular filtration rate can be measured using an exogenous substance.

Increased risk of ischaemic heart disease after kidney donation.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports suggest increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular mortality after kidney donation. In this study we investigate the occurrence of ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, diabetes and cancer in live kidney donors compared with healthy controls eligible for donation. METHODS: Different diagnoses were assessed in 1029 kidney donors and 16 084 controls. The diagnoses at follow-up were self-reported for the controls and registered by a physician for the donors. Stratified logistic regression was used to estimate associations with various disease outcomes, adjusted for gender, age at follow-up, smoking at baseline, body mass index at baseline, systolic blood pressure at baseline and time since the donation. RESULTS: The mean observation time was 11.3 years [standard deviation (SD) 8.1] for donors versus 16.4 years (SD 5.7) for controls. The age at follow-up was 56.1 years (SD 12.4) in donors versus 53.5 years (SD 11.1) in controls and 44% of donors were males versus 39.3% in the controls. At follow-up, 35 (3.5%) of the donors had been diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease versus 267 (1.7%) of the controls. The adjusted odds ratio for ischaemic heart disease was 1.64 (confidence interval 1.10-2.43; P = 0.01) in donors compared with controls. There were no significant differences for the risks of cerebrovascular disease, diabetes or cancer. CONCLUSIONS: During long-term follow-up of kidney donors, we found an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease compared with healthy controls. This information may be important in the follow-up and selection process of living kidney donors.

Endothelial Dysfunction and 6-Year Risk of Mortality in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is an early and potentially reversible stage in the atherosclerotic process. We assessed endothelial dysfunction noninvasively in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and evaluated the association with mortality and graft outcomes. METHODS: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured in arteria brachialis by ultrasound, with baseline diameters obtained at rest and maximal diameters obtained during reactive hyperemia occurring after 5 min of forearm occlusion. FMD% is the percentage difference of flow-mediated dilation relative to baseline. Endpoints on mortality and graft outcomes were collected from The Norwegian Renal Registry. The distribution of risk according to FMD levels was assessed in Cox regression using a restricted cubic spline function. FMD was dichotomized using receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify optimal cut points at maximal sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: From a total of 269 KTRs in 2012, 152 (56.5%) were eligible and examined 10 wk after transplantation, and 145 had successful FMD measurements. During a mean follow-up of 6.5 y, 26 patients died, 11 lost their graft, and 34 experienced either graft loss or death. Mortality increased with lower FMD levels until about 5% dilation and did not change with further reduction in FMD% (P for nonlinearity <0.01). An optimal cut point of FMD ≤5.36% defined impaired endothelial function and FMD% below this level, was associated with fatal outcome, hazard ratio (HR), 9.80 (1.29-74.62), P = 0.03, uncensored graft loss, HR, 7.80 (1.83-33.30), P = 0.01, but an association with death-censored graft loss was lost after adjusting for pulse pressure, HR, 4.58 (0.55-37.92), P = 0.16. CONCLUSIONS: We found that impaired FMD is strongly associated with mortality in KTRs.

Elevated Terminal C5b-9 Complement Complex 10 Weeks Post Kidney Transplantation Was Associated With Reduced Long-Term Patient and Kidney Graft Survival.

Background: The major reason for graft loss is chronic tissue damage, as interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA), where complement activation may serve as a mediator. The association of complement activation in a stable phase early after kidney transplantation with long-term outcomes is unexplored. Methods: We examined plasma terminal C5b-9 complement complex (TCC) 10 weeks posttransplant in 900 patients receiving a kidney between 2007 and 2012. Clinical outcomes were assessed after a median observation time of 9.3 years [interquartile range (IQR) 7.5-10.6]. Results: Elevated TCC plasma values (≥0.7 CAU/ml) were present in 138 patients (15.3%) and associated with a lower 10-year patient survival rate (65.7% vs. 75.5%, P < 0.003). Similarly, 10-year graft survival was lower with elevated TCC; 56.9% vs. 67.3% (P < 0.002). Graft survival was also lower when censored for death; 81.5% vs. 87.3% (P = 0.04). In multivariable Cox analyses, impaired patient survival was significantly associated with elevated TCC [hazard ratio (HR) 1.40 (1.02-1.91), P = 0.04] along with male sex, recipient and donor age, smoking, diabetes, and overall survival more than 1 year in renal replacement therapy prior to engraftment. Likewise, elevated TCC was independently associated with graft loss [HR 1.40 (1.06-1.85), P = 0.02] along with the same covariates. Finally, elevated TCC was in addition independently associated with death-censored graft loss [HR 1.69 (1.06-2.71), P = 0.03] as were also HLA-DR mismatches and higher immunological risk. Conclusions: Early complement activation, assessed by plasma TCC, was associated with impaired long-term patient and graft survival.

Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Bone Mineral Density in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Kidney transplant recipients are at high risk of progressive bone loss and low-energy fractures in the years following transplantation. Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation may have beneficial effects on bone strength. The Omega-3 fatty acids in Renal Transplantation (ORENTRA) trial was an investigator initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of marine n-3 PUFA supplementation after kidney transplantation. Effects of supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and calcium metabolism were pre-defined secondary endpoints. Adult kidney transplant recipients (n = 132) were randomized to 2.6 g marine n-3 PUFA supplement or olive oil (control) from 8 to 52 weeks post-transplant. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to assess changes in bone mineral density of hip, spine, and forearm, as well as trabecular bone score (TBS) of the lumbar spine. Student's t test was used to assess between-group differences. There were no differences in ΔBMD between the two groups (intervention vs. control) at lumbar spine (-0.020 ± 0.08 vs. -0.007 ± 0.07 g/cm², p = 0.34), total hip (0.001 ± 0.03 vs. -0.005 ± 0.04, p = 0.38), or other skeletal sites in the intention-to-treat analyses. There was no difference in the change in TBS score (0.001 ± 0.096 vs. 0.009 ± 0.102, p = 0.62). Finally, no effect on biochemical parameters of mineral metabolism was seen. Results were similar when analyzed per protocol. In conclusion, we found no significant effect of 44 weeks of supplementation with 2.6 g of marine n-3 PUFA on BMD in kidney transplant recipients.

Exploring the potential effect of paricalcitol on markers of inflammation in de novo renal transplant recipients.

Following a successful renal transplantation circulating markers of inflammation may remain elevated, and systemic inflammation is associated with worse clinical outcome in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Vitamin D-receptor (VDR) activation is postulated to modulate inflammation and endothelial function. We aimed to explore if a synthetic vitamin D, paricalcitol, could influence systemic inflammation and immune activation in RTRs. Newly transplanted RTRs were included in an open-label randomized controlled trial on the effect of paricalcitol on top of standard care over the first post-transplant year. Fourteen pre-defined circulating biomarkers reflecting leukocyte activation, endothelial activation, fibrosis and general inflammatory burden were analyzed in 74 RTRs at 8 weeks (baseline) and 1 year post-engraftment. Mean changes in plasma biomarker concentrations were compared by t-test. The expression of genes coding for the same biomarkers were investigated in 1-year surveillance graft biopsies (n = 60). In patients treated with paricalcitol circulating osteoprotegerin levels increased by 0.19 ng/ml, compared with a 0.05 ng/ml increase in controls (p = 0.030). In graft tissue, a 21% higher median gene expression level of TNFRSF11B coding for osteoprotegerin was found in paricalcitol-treated patients compared with controls (p = 0.026). Paricalcitol treatment did not significantly affect the blood- or tissue levels of any other investigated inflammatory marker. In RTRs, paricalcitol treatment might increase both circulating and tissue levels of osteoprotegerin, a modulator of calcification, but potential anti-inflammatory treatment effects in RTRs are likely very modest. [NCT01694160 (2012/107D)]; [www.clinicaltrials.gov].

Endothelial function after pancreas transplantation-A single-center observational study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes mellitus treated with successful pancreas transplantation (PTX) normalize hyperglycemia, but are exposed to immunosuppressive drugs that may impair endothelial function. This study aimed to evaluate endothelial function in single PTX recipients. METHODS: Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery was measured by ultrasound 8 weeks after transplantation in single PTX (n = 27) and compared with healthy controls (n = 58), simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients (n = 9), and kidney transplant recipients with (n = 41) and without (n = 95) diabetes mellitus. Adjustments for age, gender, blood pressure, and body mass index were included in a linear regression model. Changes in FMD from before to 1 year after transplantation were assessed in a subgroup of PTX recipients (n = 9). RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilatation% in PTX recipients was not inferior to healthy controls (8.7 ± 3.6 vs 7.7 ± 3.3, P = .06) and simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients (6.7 ± 4.5, P = .24) in an adjusted model, and superior to kidney recipients with and without diabetes (3.0 ± 3.0 and 4.8 ± 3.3, respectively, both P < .005). FMD% improved significantly from eight weeks to one year after PTX, mean 7.9 ± 4.2% vs 11.8 ± 4.8% (N = 9; P = .03). CONCLUSION: Flow-mediated dilatation is well preserved in patients undergoing pancreas transplantation and is not impaired when immunosuppressive drugs are introduced.

Measured GFR by Utilizing Population Pharmacokinetic Methods to Determine Iohexol Clearance.

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing demand for accurately measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Iohexol serum clearance has become a new gold standard, but it is challenging when GFR is low and 24-hour sampling is required for accurate results. The primary aim of this study was to develop an iohexol pharmacokinetic population model for accurate determination of individual GFR using limited sampling for up to 5 hours also when renal function is <40 ml/min. METHODS: A nonparametric iohexol population pharmacokinetic model was developed with rich data from 176 patients. In a validation cohort of 43 patients, a model-determined GFR (iohexol clearance) using different limited sampling strategies for up to 5 hours was compared with the strategy currently used in routine care, a log-linear 2-point method. In all, 1526 iohexol concentrations were used, from patients ranging in age from 1 to 82 years and GFR from 14 to 149 ml/min. RESULTS: The clinical 2-point method showed insufficient agreement compared with reference values; 15% of GFR values had an error of greater than ±10% even when sampling for 24 hours when estimating GFR <40 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (standard procedure). Restricted sampling the first 5 hours with the population model required 4 samples to determine GFR accurately. This strategy showed excellent agreement with the reference; <3% of GFR values had an error greater than ±10 %. CONCLUSION: Using an iohexol population pharmacokinetic model allows for accurate determination of GFR within 5 hours when applying 4 optimally timed samples, even in patients with GFR <40 ml/min.

Increased long-term risk for hypertension in kidney donors - a retrospective cohort study.

Kidney donors may be at increased risk of end-stage renal disease and premature mortality. Elevated blood pressure after donation may contribute to the increased risks. In this cohort study, we have assessed long-term risk for the development of hypertension in kidney donors compared to a control group potentially eligible as donors. Follow-up data were obtained from previous living kidney donors. A healthy control group with baseline assessment from similar time periods as the donor nephrectomies was selected. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure >140/90, use of blood pressure medication, or established diagnosis of hypertension. Stratified logistic regression was used to estimate risk of hypertension at follow-up, adjusted for systolic blood pressure at baseline, age at follow-up, time since donation/baseline, gender, smoking at baseline, and BMI at baseline. A total of 368 donors (36%) had hypertension at follow-up, and 241 of these (23%) were using blood pressure medication. In adjusted stratified logistic regression analyses, odds ratio for hypertension was significantly increased (1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.39, P < 0.001) in donors compared with controls. Kidney donors appear to be at increased long-term risk for hypertension compared with healthy controls. This finding supports regular follow-up of blood pressure in kidney donors.

Long-term risk for kidney donors with hypertension at donation - a retrospective cohort study.

In the general population, small increases in blood pressure are associated with increased mortality. In kidney donors this association is less certain. We therefore assessed long-term overall and cardiovascular mortality in donors who were hypertensive at the time of donation compared with normotensive donors. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure >140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive drugs. Adequate records available in 2131 donors revealed that 140 were hypertensive and 1991 were normotensive. Multivariable regression analyses were performed for overall and cardiovascular mortality. Hypertensive donors were significantly older (mean 57.7 vs. 46.9 years), more were males (44.3% vs. 41.5%), had higher body mass index (26.4 vs. 24.7) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (91.8 vs. 101.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 ). After a median observation time of 20.8 years (interquartile range 11) 71 hypertensive donors had died and 26 of the deaths were cardiovascular. Multivariable analysis did not suggest a generalizable association between hypertension and long-term overall mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-1.5, P = 0.34] or cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.7-1.8, P = 0.55). These data may support the use of older healthy kidney donors with hypertension at donation.

Efficacy and Safety of Empagliflozin in Renal Transplant Recipients With Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have lately become the recommended treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk. Patients with posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) also have high cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin in renal transplant recipients with PTDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-nine renal transplant recipients were included in an investigator-initiated, single-center, prospective, double-blind study and randomized to receive either 10 mg empagliflozin or placebo once daily for 24 weeks. Patients transplanted >1 year ago, diagnosed with PTDM, with stable renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] >30 mL/min/1.73 m2), and with stable immunosuppressive therapy were studied. RESULTS: Forty-four renal transplant recipients (22 empagliflozin/22 placebo, 34 males) completed the study. Median (interquartile range) change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly reduced with empagliflozin compared with placebo: -0.2% (-0.6, -0.1) (-2.0 mmol/mol [-6.5, -1.0]) vs. 0.1% (-0.1, 0.4) (1.0 mmol/mol [-0.75, 3.8]) (P = 0.025). The magnitude of glucose reduction was dependent on GFR and baseline HbA1c. The treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in body weight of -2.5 kg (-4.0, -0.05) compared with an increase of 1.0 kg (0.0, 2.0) in the placebo group (P = 0.014). There were no significant differences between the groups in adverse events, immunosuppressive drug levels, or eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin appeared safe and improved glycemic control in renal transplant recipients with PTDM compared with placebo. A concomitant reduction in body weight was seen.

Vitamin D as a risk factor for patient survival after kidney transplantation: A prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Short-term survival after kidney transplantation is excellent, but long-term survival remains low and is equivalent to non-end-stage renal disease patients with many invasive malignancies. The aim of the study was to explore vitamin D status in the early phase after transplantation as a prognostic marker for long-term graft and patient survival. METHODS: All first-time kidney transplant recipients between October 2007 and October 2012 in Norway were included. Vitamin D was measured 10 weeks post-transplant. Information on graft failure and death was obtained from the Norwegian Renal Registry. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixty-two first-time kidney transplant recipients were included, with a median age of 57 years and a median follow-up of 82 months. In the follow-up period, there were 172 graft failures (23%) and 118 deaths (15%). Eighty-six percent of the transplant recipients with sufficient vitamin D levels were alive with a well-functioning graft after 5 years using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, compared with 79% and 76% of the patients with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: In a nation-wide cohort of 762 first-time kidney transplant recipients, long-term graft and patient survival were better in recipients with vitamin D sufficiency 10 weeks post-transplant compared with those with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency.

Evaluation of tools for annual capture of adherence to immunosuppressive medications after renal transplantation - a single-centre open prospective trial.

Annual assessment of adherence would strengthen long-term outcome assessments from registry data. The objective of this study was to evaluate tools suitable for annual routine capture of adherence data in renal transplant recipients. A single-centre open prospective trial included 295 renal transplant recipients on tacrolimus. Two-thirds of the patients were included 4 weeks post-transplant, randomized 1:1 to intensive or single-point adherence assessment in the early phase and 1-year post-transplant. One-third were included 1-year post-transplant during a cross-sectional investigation. Adherence was assessed using multiple methods: The "Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Scale" (BAASIS© ) questionnaire was used to assess self-reported adherence. The treating clinician scored patient's adherence and tacrolimus trough-concentration variability was calculated. In the analyses, the data from the different tools were dichotomized (adherent/nonadherent). The BAASIS© overall response rate was over 80%. Intensive BAASIS© assessment early after transplantation increased the chance of capturing a nonadherence event, but did not influence the 1-year adherence prevalence. The adherence tools generally captured different populations. Combining the tools, the nonadherence prevalence at 1 year was 38%. The different tools identified to a large degree different patients as nonadherent. Combining these tools is feasible for annual capture of adherence status.

Validation of diagnostic utility of fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in stable renal transplant recipients one year after transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The use of HbA1c ≥6.5% for diagnosis of diabetes has been challenged for post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) also known as new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) due to a low sensitivity early after renal transplantation. PTDM diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is highly predictable for long-term patient mortality. HbA1c was introduced for diagnosis based on the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The utility of HbA1c measures versus glucose criteria has not been widely assessed in stable transplant patients but still HbA1c is widely used in this population. The aim of the present analyses was to validate the utility of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) together with HbA1c in diagnosing PTDM in stable renal transplant recipients (RTRs). METHODS: OGTT's were performed one year after transplantation in 494 consecutive RTRs without diabetes. FPG and HbA1c were obtained the same day, before starting the OGTT. Validation was performed using C-statistics and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: PTDM was diagnosed in 51 patients (10.3%) by glucose criteria, 38 (74%) patients were diagnosed by FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L [126.1 mg/dl], and 13 (26%) only by 2-h plasma glucose. Six of the latter had HbA1c ≥6.5%. Only seven patients out of the 51 (13.7%) PTDM patients remained undiagnosed when HbA1c ≥6.5% was used together with FPG, and five of these regressed to normal after a median follow-up of 14 months. ROC curves including FPG and HbA1c versus OGTT derived criteria revealed an AUC of 0.858. CONCLUSIONS: Combining standard diagnostic FPG and HbA1c criteria captured almost all patients with persistent PTDM in stable RTRs. The combined use of the criteria appears to be an applicable diagnostic strategy for PTDM without the need of an OGTT one year post-transplant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.