New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) occurs less frequently in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients than in deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) recipients. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and predictive factors for NODAT in LDLT versus DDLT recipients. The Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database was reviewed from 2004 to 2010, and 902 LDLT and 19,582 DDLT nondiabetic recipients were included. The overall incidence of NODAT was 12.2% at 1 year after liver transplantation. At 1, 3, and 5 years after transplant, the incidence of NODAT in LDLT recipients was 7.4, 2.1, and 2.6%, respectively, compared to 12.5, 3.4, and 1.9%, respectively, in DDLT recipients. LDLT recipients have a lower risk of NODAT compared to DDLT recipients (hazard ratio = 0.63 (0.52–0.75),P<0.001). Predictors for NODAT in LDLT recipients were hepatitis C (HCV) and treated acute cellular rejection (ACR). Risk factors in DDLT recipients were recipient male gender, recipient age, body mass index, donor age, donor diabetes, HCV, and treated ACR. LDLT recipients have a lower incidence and fewer risk factors for NODAT compared to DDLT recipients. Early identification of risk factors will assist timely clinical interventions to prevent NODAT complications.
Validation of a Pretransplant Risk Score for New-Onset Diabetes After Kidney Transplantation
OBJECTIVE Identification of patients at high risk for new-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation (NODAT) will facilitate clinical trials for its prevention. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We previously described a pretransplant predictive risk model for NODAT using seven pretransplant variables (age, planned use of maintenance corticosteroids, prescription for gout medicine, BMI, fasting glucose, fasting triglycerides, and family history of diabetes). We have now applied the initial model to a cohort of 474 transplant recipients from another center for validation. We performed two analyses in the validation cohort. The first was a standard model with variables derived from the original study. The second was a summary score model, in which the sum of dichotomized variables (all the variables dichotomized at clinically relevant cut points) was used to categorize, individuals into low (0–1), intermediate (2, 3), or high (4–7) risk groups. We also conducted a combined database analyses, merging the initial and validation cohorts (n = 792) to obtain better estimates for a prediction equation. RESULTS Although the frequency of several risk factors differed significantly between the two cohorts, the models performed similarly in each cohort. Using the summary score model, incidences of NODAT in low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk groups in the initial cohort were 12, 29, and 56%, and in the validation cohort incidences were 11, 29, and 51%. CONCLUSIONS A pretransplant model for NODAT, including many type 2 diabetes risk factors, predicted NODAT in the validation cohort.
Delayed allograft inflammation following alemtuzumab induction for kidney transplantation
AbstractBackgroundIn a recent clinical trial in kidney transplant recipients, induction with alemtuzumab and rabbit‐antithymocyte globulin (r‐ATG) was equally effective in preventing rejection during the first post‐transplant year; however, this study did not include protocol biopsies.MethodsThe aim of this study was to analyze the impact of alemtuzumab induction on rejection and subclinical inflammation during the first post‐transplant year compared with a historic control group receiving induction with r‐ATG. All patients received tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).ResultsThere were 361 in the alemtuzumab group and 478 in the r‐ATG groups. Rejection (excluding Banff borderline), during the first year, occurred in 14% of the alemtuzumab group and 9% of the r‐ATG group (p = 0.03). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (chronic kidney disease (CKD)‐EPI formula) at one yr and graft survival at three yr were similar. On the protocol biopsies, interstitial inflammation (Banff i scores) and tubulitis (Banff t scores) were more likely in the r‐ATG group at one month, but at four and 12 months, both inflammation and tubulitis were more likely in the alemtuzumab group.ConclusionsWe conclude that alemtuzumab induction is associated with delayed inflammation at four and 12 months, but this inflammation did not appear to negatively impact the GFR or graft survival.
Can New-Onset Diabetes After Kidney Transplant Be Prevented?
Because the negative consequences of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) diminish the significant gains of kidney transplantation, it is imperative to develop clinical interventions to reduce the incidence of NODAT. In this review, we discuss whether intensive lifestyle interventions that delay or prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus may decrease the incidence of NODAT. We examine the literature pertaining to incidence and timing of onset of NODAT, as well as the risk factors and pathophysiology that NODAT shares with type 2 diabetes mellitus, namely pathways related to increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin secretion. Our central hypothesis is that NODAT results from the same metabolic risk factors that underlie type 2 diabetes mellitus. These risk factors are altered and enhanced by transplantation, “tipping” some transplant recipients with seemingly normal glucose homeostasis before transplant toward the development of NODAT. We describe the diabetogenic properties of transplant immunosuppressive drugs. We describe novel methods of prevention that are being explored, including resting the pancreatic β-cells by administration of basal insulin during the period immediately after transplant. On the basis of the current evidence, we propose that intensive lifestyle modification, adapted for individuals with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease, as well as resting pancreatic β-cells during the immediate postoperative period, may lower the incidence of NODAT.
Response to Comment on: Chakkera et al. Pretransplant Risk Score for New-Onset Diabetes After Kidney Transplantation. Diabetes Care 2011;34:2141–2145
New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is common after liver transplant and associated with poorer outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for NODAT in liver transplant recipients off corticosteroids. In 225 adult nondiabetic liver transplant recipients, the mean age was 51.7 years, the majority were men (71%), and half had HCV (49%). The mean calculated MELD score at transplantation was 18.7, and 19% underwent living-donor transplant (LDLT). One year after transplantation, 17% developed NODAT, and an additional 16% had impaired fasting glucose. The incidence of NODAT in patients with HCV was 26%. In multivariate analysis, HCV, pretransplant FPG, and LDLT were significant. Each 10 mg/dL increase in pretransplant FPG was associated with a twofold increase in future development of NODAT. The incidence of NODAT after liver transplant in patients off corticosteroids is 17%. Risk factors for developing NODAT include HCV and pretransplant FPG; LDLT is protective.
Pretransplant Risk Score for New-Onset Diabetes After Kidney Transplantation
OBJECTIVE New-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation (NODAT) has adverse clinical and economic implications. A risk score for NODAT could help identify research subjects for intervention studies. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study using pretransplant clinical and laboratory measurements to construct a risk score for NODAT. NODAT was defined by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, fasting serum glucose ≥126 mg/dL, or prescribed therapy for diabetes within 1 year posttransplant. Three multivariate logistic regression models were constructed: 1) standard model, with both continuous and discrete variables; 2) dichotomous model, with continuous variables dichotomized at clinically relevant cut points; and 3) summary score defined as the sum of the points accrued using the terms from the dichotomous model. RESULTS A total of 316 subjects had seven pretransplant variables with P < 0.10 in univariate logistic regression analyses (age, planned corticosteroid therapy posttransplant, prescription for gout medicine, BMI, fasting glucose and triglycerides, and family history of type 2 diabetes) that were selected for multivariate models. Areas under receiver operating curves for all three models were similar (0.72, 0.71, and 0.70). A simple risk score calculated as the sum of points from the seven variables performed as well as the other two models in identifying risk of NODAT. CONCLUSIONS A risk score computed from seven simple pretransplant variables can identify risk of NODAT.
Impact of Acute Rejection on Kidney Allograft Outcomes in Recipients on Rapid Steroid Withdrawal
Background. Our aim was to study the impact of clinical acute rejection (CR) and subclinical rejection (SR) on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients treated with rapid steroid withdrawal (RSW).Methods. All patients who received a living or deceased donor kidney transplant and were treated with RSW were included. The primary outcome was death-censored graft survival. Biopsies with Banff borderline changes were included with the rejection groups.Results. 457 kidney transplant recipients treated with RSW were included; 46 (10%) experienced SR, and 36 (7.8%) had CR. Mean HLA mismatch was significantly higher in the CR group. The Banff grade of rejection was higher in the CR group. There was a larger proportion of patients in both rejection groups with the combination of IFTA and persistent inflammation on the follow-up protocol biopsy done at 1 year. The estimated 5-year death-censored graft survival was 81% in SR, 78% in CR, and 97% in the control group (P<.0001). Significant differences were observed in allograft survival between the CR and control group (HR 9.06, 95% CI 3.39–24.2) and between the SR and control group (HR 4.22, 95% CI 1.30–13.7).Conclusion. Both SR and CR are associated with an inferior graft survival in recipients on RSW.