Evolution of the concept of quality of life in the population in end stage renal disease. A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Given the rising prevalence of end-stage renal disease and subsequent progressive increase of patients starting renal replacement therapy, a great attention is given by scientific community to the assessment of life perception and Quality of Life (QoL) in dialysis patients. A broad literature review was conducted on PubMed and PsyInfo databases for articles published between January 2000 and July 2016 in order to understand the biological and psychosocial variables potentially affecting the QoL of the patients under artificial substitution of kidney function. METHODS: Five domains related to the concepts of physical functions, mood, sleep, spirituality, and social support have been identified. RESULTS: The findings in this review suggest that the variables related to physical activity and depression seem to have a direct impact on QoL and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Others, such as anxiety, awareness, empowerment, the presence of sleep disorders, satisfaction, support from the staff, social support, spirituality and religion have a clear correlation with the QoL dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the primary importance of the assessment biological and psychosocial variables by specific tools and the inclusion of effective interventions targeted to patients and their caregivers.

Inflammatory and Adipose Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients After a Marathon Cycling Race.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplant recipients frequently have chronic inflammation, with a weighty impact on cardiovascular risk. These patients can benefit from exercise, although the role of intense training is unclear. We evaluated the effect of a 130-km cycling race on inflammatory cytokines and adiponectin levels in transplant recipients. METHODS: Circulating interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and adiponectin were assayed in 35 healthy subjects vs 19 transplant recipients (10 kidney, 8 liver, 1 heart), matched for sex, age, body mass index, and preparation workout. The determinations were performed before the race, at the end, and after 18 to 24 hours. Baseline values of 32 sedentary transplant recipients also were evaluated to explore the possible chronic impact of lifestyle. RESULTS: All cyclists had 6- to 8-fold increased IL-6 levels after the race that decreased, without returning to baseline, the day after. Conversely, serum TNF-α and IFN-γ showed a progressive increase starting during physical performance and enduring for the next 18 to 24 hours in healthy subjects, whereas they were unchanged over time in cyclists with transplants. In transplant recipients who did not perform exercise, all of the analytes were significantly higher in comparison to basal levels of physically active subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that clinically stable and properly trained transplant recipients can safely perform and progressively benefit from exercise, even at a competitive level. The changes in inflammation parameters were temporary and parallel with those of the healthy subjects. The comparison with sedentary transplant recipients revealed an overall amelioration of inflammatory indexes as a possible effect of regular physical activity on systemic inflammation.

Can Solid-Organ-Transplanted Patients Perform a Cycling Marathon? Trends in Kidney Function Parameters in Comparison With Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Few solid-organ-transplanted patients (TP) perform regular sport activity. Poor data are available on the safety of intense and prolonged physical exercise on this population. The aim of the study was to evaluate kidney function parameters in a group of TP in comparison with healthy volunteers (HV) involved in a long-distance road cycling race: length 130 km and total uphill gradient, 1871 m. METHODS: Nineteen TP were recruited: 10 renal, 8 liver, and 1 heart and compared with 35 HV. Renal function parameters, namely, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urea, uric acid, urine specific gravity, microalbuminuria, and proteinuria were collected and their values were compared the day before the race (T1), immediately after crossing the finish line (T2), and 18 to 24 hours after the competition (T3). RESULTS: No adverse events were recorded. At baseline, TP showed lower values of eGFR (69 ± 22 versus 87 ± 13 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), lower urine specific gravity (1015 ± 4 versus 1019 ± 6), and higher microalbuminuria (56 ± 74 versus 8 ± 15) and proteinuria values (166 ± 99 versus 74 ± 44) (in mg/L). At T2 in both groups, renal function parameters showed the same trends: decline of eGFR (54 ± 19 versus 69 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and rise in protein excretion. At T3, functional parameters returned to baseline, except for urine specific gravity values remaining stable in TP (1018 ± 6) and growing higher in HV (1028 ± 4). CONCLUSIONS: Selected and well-trained organ-transplanted patients can perform an intensive exercise, displaying temporary modifications on kidney function parameters comparable to healthy subjects, despite differences related to baseline clinical conditions and pharmacological therapies.

The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) of marginal donors allocated by standardized pretransplant donor biopsy assessment: distribution and association with graft outcomes.

Pretransplant donor biopsy (PTDB)-based marginal donor allocation systems to single or dual renal transplantation could increase the use of organs with Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) in the highest range (e.g. >80 or >90), whose discard rate approximates 50% in the United States. To test this hypothesis, we retrospectively calculated the KDPI and analyzed the outcomes of 442 marginal kidney transplants (340 single transplants: 278 with a PTDB Remuzzi score<4 [median KDPI: 87; interquartile range (IQR): 78-94] and 62 with a score=4 [median KDPI: 87; IQR: 76-93]; 102 dual transplants [median KDPI: 93; IQR: 86-96]) and 248 single standard transplant controls (median KDPI: 36; IQR: 18-51). PTDB-based allocation of marginal grafts led to a limited discard rate of 15% for kidneys with KDPI of 80-90 and of 37% for kidneys with a KDPI of 91-100. Although 1-year estimated GFRs were significantly lower in recipients of marginal kidneys (-9.3, -17.9 and -18.8 mL/min, for dual transplants, single kidneys with PTDB score<4 and =4, respectively; p<0.001), graft survival (median follow-up 3.3 years) was similar between marginal and standard kidney transplants (hazard ratio: 1.20 [95% confidence interval: 0.80-1.79; p=0.38]). In conclusion, PTDB-based allocation allows the safe transplantation of kidneys with KDPI in the highest range that may otherwise be discarded.

Family recurrence and oligo-anuria predict uremic restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine clinical and laboratory predictors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing long-term hemodialysis (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two consecutive patients were assessed. History of sleep disturbances, neurological examination, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Patients with and without RLS were compared, and a logistic regression model described the relations between independent predictors and RLS. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (32%) currently had RLS (RLS+). RLS+ vs RLS- patients were more frequently women (49% vs 29%, P = 0.012), had first-degree relative with RLS (22% vs 6%, P = 0.004), insomnia (59% vs 36%, P = 0.007), peripheral neuropathy (41% vs 21%, P = 0.006), and low residual diuresis (92% vs 68% with below 500 ml/24 h, P = 0.001). Low (OR = 8.71, CI = 2.27-33.41; P = 0.002) and absent (OR = 4.96, CI = 1.52-16.20; P = 0.008) residual diuresis, peripheral neuropathy (OR = 4.00, CI = 1.44-11.14; P = 0.008), and first-degree relative with RLS (OR = 3.82, CI = 1.21-12.13; P = 0.023) significantly predicted RLS in ESKD patients undergoing HD. CONCLUSION: Positive family history for RLS together with reduced/absent residual renal function and peripheral neuropathy predicts the risk for RLS in ESKD patients undergoing HD. Longitudinal studies are warranted to correlate RLS occurrence with genetic and environmental factors.

The influence of intraoperative central venous pressure on delayed graft function in renal transplantation: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication in kidney transplantation. We sought to evaluate possible correlates for DGF including intraoperative parameters, focusing on fluid replacement and central venous pressure (CVP) values among patients undergoing kidney transplantation at our center. METHODS: One hundred fifty-five cadaveric donor transplantations performed at our center between 2001 and 2005 were selected for the study. We compared intraoperative parameters together with 15 other clinical and socio-demographic recipient and donor variables among patients experiencing DGF (n = 58) versus those with immediate graft function (IGF; n = 97). All significant variables at P < .05 upon univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to identify risk factors for DGF. RESULTS: CVP at awakening of ≤8 mm Hg (odds ratio [OR] = 3.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63-7.63), fluid input during surgery ≤2.250 mL (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.00-4.51), and recipient age ≥50 years (OR = 2.72; 95% CI, 1.11-6.68) were the strongest correlates of DGF. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that reduced intraoperative perfusion as measured using CVP monitoring might increase DGF risk. This study provides the rationale to further investigate the optimal CVP target during this surgery.

Native kidney function after renal transplantation combined with other solid organs in preemptive patients.

Kidney transplantations combined with other solid organs are progressively increasing in number. There are no guidelines regarding the nephrologic indications for combined transplantations, namely liver-kidney (LKT), or heart-kidney (HKT), in preemptive patients with chronic kidney failure who are not on regular dialysis therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the functional contribution of the native kidneys after preemptive kidney transplantation combined with other solid organs. From 2004, 9 patients (aged 50.3 +/- 8.5 years) with chronic kidney failure (creatinine 2.5 +/- 1.0 mg/dL) caused by polycystic kidney disease (n = 4), vascular nephropathy (n = 2), interstitial nephropathy (n = 1), glomerulonephritis (n = 1), or end-stage kidney disease (n = 1), underwent combined transplantations (8 LKT, 1 HKT). A scintigraphic functional study (Tc-99DMSA or Tc-99mMAG3), was performed at 4 +/- 3 months after transplantation to evaluate the functional contribution of both the native kidneys and the graft. All patients were given immunosuppressive drugs, including a calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus/or cyclosporine). At the time of scintigraphy, renal function in all patients was 1.3 +/- 0.3 mg/dL. The functional contribution of the transplanted kidneys was on average 77 +/- 18%. Only in 1 patient was the contribution of the graft <50%. At follow-up after 36 months, patient and kidney survivals were 100%. The study confirmed a high risk of loss of native kidney function in the presence of organic nephropathy. In light of our experience, a creatinine clearance <30 mL/min in an appropriate cutoff for a combined transplantation. Close clinical and instrumental assessment pretransplant is essential before proceeding with a combined transplant program to exclude functional forms and to optimize the use of organs.

[Factors determining cardiovascular disease progression after kidney transplant]. / I fattori di progressione della malattia cardiovascolare dopo trapianto renale.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in renal transplant recipients as well as the leading cause of death with a functioning graft. The high cardiovascular risk is attributable to the prolonged exposure to multiple traditional and nontraditional risk factors in the pretransplant and posttransplant period. Particular attention must be paid to cardiovascular screening of candidates for kidney transplantation. After a transplant, treatment and prevention strategies should be focused on the modifiable risk factors including smoking, dietary habits, physical activity, weight control, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Further studies on these factors are needed to better define the pharmacological approaches (hypotensive or hypolipemic drugs) and therapeutic targets. In view of the role of immunosuppressive therapy in the onset or worsening of several risk factors, it is important to tailor the treatment approach and dosage to the cardiovascular risk profile of the individual patient.

Donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies after bone-graft transplantation. Impact on a subsequent renal transplantation: a case report.

Immunological evaluation by panel-reactive antibody (PRA) and determination of anti-HLA specificity are important phases in the evaluation of patients awaiting kidney transplantation. The main causes of immunization are previous solid organ transplantation, hemotransfusion, and pregnancy. It is also possible that immunogenicity can be triggered by vascularized tissue grafts. Immune induction by cryopreserved bone prostheses is not yet understood. A 19-year-old patient with osteosarcoma had undergone resection of the left proximal tibia with reconstruction using human bone in 1997. The donor HLA typing was as follows: A3, A29 (19); B44 (12), Bw4; DR13 (6), DR7, DR52, DR53. The patient was subsequently enrolled onto the waiting list for cadaveric donor kidney transplantation due to chronic kidney failure caused by cisplatin toxicity. Pretransplantation immunological screening using the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) technique revealed a PRA of 63%. IgG antibody specificities were detected against class I and class II donor antigens, specifically anti-A3, B44, DR7 antibodies, using flow cytometry (Tepnel Luminex). Further immunological studies using single HLA specificity analysis (LSA Class I degrees -II degrees , Tepnel-Luminex) showed direct antibodies against all donor antigen specificities. This case showed immune induction after the implantation of bone prosthesis in a kidney transplant candidate, underlining the importance of the availability of HLA typing data of donors of a human prosthesis.

[Anti-HLA antibodies after bone graft and their impact on kidney transplant programs]. / Riscontri di anticorpi anti-HLA dopo trapianto di tessuto osseo. Impatto su programmi di trapianto di rene.

Immunological evaluation by panel reactive antibody (PRA) and determination of anti-HLA specificity is an important phase in the assessment of patients awaiting kidney transplant. The main causes of immunization are previous solid organ transplants, blood transfusions, and pregnancy; immunogenicity can also be triggered by vascularized tissue grafts. Immune induction by cryopreserved bone allografts is not yet fully understood. We report the case of a 19-year-old patient with osteosarcoma who underwent resection of the left proximal tibia with reconstruction using human bone in 1997 (donor typing: A3, A29 (19) - B44 (12), Bw4 - DR13 (6), DR7, DR52, DR53). The patient was subsequently placed on the waiting list for a cadaver donor kidney transplant because of chronic kidney failure caused by cisplatin toxicity. Pretransplant immunological screening using the CDC (complement dependent cytotoxicity) technique revealed a PRA of 63% and anti-A3 and anti-A68 antibodies. The presence of IgG antibody specificity against class I and class II donor antigens (specifically anti-A3, B44, DR7 antibodies) was highlighted using flow cytometry (Tepnel-Luminex). Further immunological studies using single HLA specificity analysis (LSA Class I - II - Tepnel-Luminex) detected direct antibodies against all donor antigen specificities. This is the first reported case of immune induction after a bone graft in a kidney transplant candidate. It underlines the importance of the availability of HLA typing data of all human allograft donors.

[Low-toxicity immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant]. / Il successo del trapianto di rene dipende anche da una terapia efficace a bassa tossicità.

INTRODUCTION: Renal allograft loss in the long term may be due to the death of a patient with a functioning graft or to chronic allograft nephropathy. One of the most important factors in the development of chronic allograft nephropathy is drug nephrotoxicity. The term nephrotoxicity comprises two distinct forms of renal injury: acute and chronic. Immunosuppressive drugs, and in particular calcineurin inhibitors, have a variety of side effects including nephrotoxicity. The nephrotoxicity associated with calcineurin inhibitors is well known; this association has also been described for the newer agents. METHODS: We reviewed a large number of recent studies that attempted to reduce the toxicity of immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: A number of low-toxicity protocols have been developed. Encouraging results have been obtained with regimens that reduce or eliminate nephrotoxicity-inducing calcineurin inhibitors and with regimens that reduce or eliminate steroids, which are responsible for many diseases that may lead to the death of the patient, even with a functioning graft. CONCLUSION: All immunosuppressive drugs may be nephrotoxic, even if they act through different mechanisms. Combining different drugs at low dosage would therefore seem the best solution. It is not yet clear which regimens will be the most effective from the point of view of maximizing patient and graft survival, minimizing rejection, and minimizing adverse events.

Nephrological indications in combined liver-kidney transplantation.

In isolated liver transplantation pretransplant renal failure is a major mortality risk, there are no guidelines at the moment to establish the indications for a combined liver-kidney transplantation (LKT). In irreversible chronic renal failure (CRF) not on dialysis, nephrological evaluation is required to assess the need for a simultaneous kidney transplantation. There are no experiences about the functional contribution of native kidneys post-LKT. Herein we have reported the case of two patients who underwent LKT in 2004 due to CRF, not yet on dialysis. At the moment of LKT, the first patient (polycystic kidney disease) had a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) = 29 mL/min, and the second recipient (vascular nephropathy and diabetes), a GFR = 33 mL/min. In both cases we did not observe delayed graft function. At discharge the serum creatinine was 1.1 and 1.0 mg/dL, respectively, which was maintained during follow-up. In both cases renal scintigraphy with Tc-99 DMSA was performed to evaluate the functional contributions of transplanted versus native kidneys. In the first case scintigraphy at 9 months after LKT demonstrated an 81% contribution from the transplanted kidney, 9% from the right and 10% from the left native kidneys. In the second case, at 3 months after LKT, the functional contributions were 76%, 10%, and 14%, respectively. The transplanted kidney nephron mass may avoid the need for hemodialysis in the early posttransplant period; in the midterm it may help to maintain residual renal function. As in other combined transplant programs (heart-kidney, kidney-pancreas) with irreversible CRF, a GFR < or = 30 to 35 mL/min may be an indication for LKT, but we need more experience.

Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) application in liver failure: clinical and hemodepurative results in 22 patients.

PURPOSE: Acute liver failure (ALF) and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) still show a poor prognosis. MARS was used in 22 patients with ALF or ACLF to prolong patient survival for liver function recovery or as a bridge to transplantation. DESIGN: Evaluation of depurative efficiency, biocompatibility, hemodynamics, encephalopathy (HE) and clinical outcome. PROCEDURES: During 71 five-hour sessions we evaluated (0', 60', 120', 180', 240', 300'): bilirubin, ammonia, cholic acid (CCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CCDCA), leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Serum creatinine, electrolytes, cardiac output, cardiac index (bioimpedence) and HE (West Haven Criteria score) were evaluated at 0' and 300'. STATISTICAL METHODS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Student's t-test for pre- vs. end-session values was used. For bilirubin and ammonia the correlation test was made between pre- and end-session values and between pre-session values and removal rates (RRS). MAIN FINDINGS: Survival was 90.9% at 7 days, 40.9% at 30 days. Pre- vs. end-session: bilirubin from 37.2 +/- 12.5 mg/dL to 24.9 +/- 8.9 mg/dL (p < 0.01), ammonia from 88.0 +/- 60.4 micromol/L to 43.6 +/- 32.9 micromol/L (p < 0.01), CCA from 42.8 +/- 21.0 micromol/L 18.2 +/- 9.8 micromol/L (p < 0.01), CCDCA from 26.3 +/- 6.3 micromol/L to 15.7+/-7.6 micromol/L (p<0.01). The correlation test between pre-session values of bilirubin and ammonia vs. RR S was respectively 0.32 (p = 0.01) and 0.30 (p = 0.04). Leukocytes, platelets and hemoglobin remained stable. MAP increased from 82.0 +/- 12.0 mmHg to 87.0 +/- 13.0 mmHg (p < 0.05), West Haven Criteria score decreased from 2.7 +/- 0.7 to 0.7 +/- 0.7 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MARS treatment led in all patients to an improvement of clinical, hemodynamic and neurological conditions, with significant reduction in the hepatic toxins blood level. Treatment biocompatibility and tolerance were satisfactory.

Predictive factors in chronic allograft nephropathy.

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is characterized by progressive renal dysfunction leading in many cases to graft loss. The pathogenesis of CAN involves both immune and nonimmune factors. Concerning immune factors, one of the most remarkable predictors of CAN is acute rejection, which is associated with a worse prognosis if there are multiple episodes or when late onset occurs. Delayed graft function is also a major risk factor for CAN because of a correlation between late restoration of renal function after transplantation and long-term decreased graft survival. High creatinine levels at 6 months and 1 year after transplantation, proteinuria, viral infections, and cardiovascular risk factors are additional significant parameters for the development of CAN. Recent findings suggest that a high renal segmental arterial resistance index measured by Doppler ultrasonography in intrarenal vessels is associated with poor allograft function. Moreover, the study of patient genetic profile represents a new approach to identify predictive factors for CAN.

[Therapy strategies in the prevention of chronic allograft nephropathy]. / Strategie terapeutiche nella prevenzione della nefropatia cronica da trapianto.

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is an anatomical and clinical alteration, characterized by proteinuria, hypertension and a progressive decline in kidney function, which begins at variable times (months, years) and can lead to the loss of the transplanted organ. CAN pathogenesis, which remains to be fully clarified, involves both immunological (early acute rejection, hyperimmunization, HLA-mismatches between donor and recipient, suboptimal immunosuppression, etc) and non-immunological factors (ischemia/reperfusion injury, reduced nephron mass, age differences between donor and recipient, dialysis time, hypertension, dislipidemia, proteinuria, etc). The possible prevention strategies for CAN consist of procedures aimed at the reduction of some potential risk factors: optimization of the conditions for organ explantation, diminution of ischemia/reperfusion injury, aggressive pharmacological treatment of acute rejection episodes, routine utilization of anti-hypertensive and hypolipidemic agents, and appropriate and rational immunosuppressive regimen. Moreover, some categories of immunosuppressive drugs, such as calcineurin inhibitors, can have a nephrotoxic effect, often regardless of therapeutic dosage. The introduction in clinical practice of novel immunosuppressive drugs with no nephrotoxicity, like mycophenolate mofetil and rapamycin, makes therapeutical strategies able to reduce the incidence of CAN feasible.

Prospective randomized comparison of two prophylactic regimens with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in leukemic children: a two year study.

Between 1 July 1984 and 30 June 1986 all children treated for acute hematologic malignancy at our center were randomized to receive continuous (group A) or intermittent (3 days/week, group B) prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (5-25 mg/kg/day/p.o.) against interstitial pneumonia with the aim of investigating if an intermittent regimen is as effective as and less toxic than a continuous regimen. The number of severe infections (group A, 17; group B, 21) and side-effects (group A, 30; group B, 34) was similar in the two groups, and compliance was also similar. We conclude therefore that neither regimen offers advantages over the other and the decision which to use should be based on cost (where regimen B has the advantage) and the children's and parents' preferences and compliance.