Sas, David J.

AbstractObjectivesTo compare long‐term transplant outcomes (organ rejection and retransplant) of simultaneous liver/kidney transplant (SLK) versus isolated kidney transplant (IK) for patients with primary hyperoxaluria (PH).MethodsThe Rare Kidney Stone Consortium PH registry was queried to identify patients with PH who underwent SLK or IK from 1999 to 2021. Patient characteristics and long‐term transplant outcomes were abstracted and analyzed. Statistical comparisons were performed with Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsWe identified 250 patients with PH, of whom 35 received care at Mayo Clinic and underwent SLK or IK. Patients who underwent SLK as their index transplant had lower odds of kidney rejection than did those who underwent IK (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08–0.99; p = .048). The immunoprotective effect of concomitant liver and kidney transplant appeared to enhance outcomes for patients with PH. Additionally, the odds of retransplant were significantly lower for patients who underwent SLK as their index transplant than for those who underwent IK (HR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02–0.42; p = .003). Of five patients who underwent IK and had maintained graft function for at least 5 years after transplant, three (60%) had documented vitamin B6 responsiveness.ConclusionsPatients with PH who underwent SLK had a lower risk of kidney rejection and retransplant than those who underwent IK. Accurate genetic assessment for vitamin B6 responsiveness may optimize IK allocation. Novel therapeutics, such as lumasiran, have been introduced as promising agents for the management of PH.

Patient satisfaction (PS) surveying has become a commonly used measure of physician performance, but little is known about the impact on pediatricians. To investigate our hypothesis that PS surveys negatively impact pediatricians, we conducted a survey at an academic children’s medical center. Of 155 eligible physicians, 115 responded (response rate 74%). Two-thirds (68%) did not find the PS score report useful and 88% did not feel that PS scores accurately reflect the physician’s clinical ability. A third reported ordering tests, medications, or consultations due to pressure for higher PS scores. In addition, one-third agreed that PS surveys contribute to burnout and make it difficult to practice meaningful medicine. Overall, PS score reporting has a negative impact on pediatricians, especially those who are female, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of color), subspecialists, younger, and attended non-US medical schools. Further investigation into improved methods for providing feedback to pediatric physicians is warranted.

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesBasal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is an autosomal dominant skin cancer predisposition syndrome associated with abnormal mineral metabolism, a risk factor for urinary stone disease (USD). However, no research investigating the association between BCNS and USD or other manifestations of abnormal mineral metabolism has been conducted. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between BCNS and conditions associated with disordered mineral metabolism including USD, hypothyroidism, and osteoporosis and compare them to prevalence in the general population to elucidate potential unknown manifestations of the condition.MethodsThis retrospective study examined medical records of adult and pediatric patients with confirmed BCNS from the Mayo Clinic database from 1 January 1995 to 12 January 2020. Records were surveyed for evidence of USD and other comorbidities potentially related to BCNS. The studied cohort included 100 adult patients and 5 pediatric patients.ResultsA total of 105 patients were included in this analysis, 10 of whom experienced confirmed USD, representing a prevalence of 10%. Six adult patients were identified with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, representing a prevalence of 6%. Thirteen adult patients were identified with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, representing a prevalence of 13%.ConclusionsThis study identified a prevalence of USD in BCNS patients comparable to estimates of national prevalence, indicating that known abnormalities in mineral metabolism likely do not increase the incidence of USD in BCNS patients. Additional findings included increased prevalence of hypothyroidism and decreased prevalence of osteoporosis in the BCNS cohort compared to national averages.

AbstractContextCYP24A1 encodes 24-hydroxylase, which converts 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 to inactive metabolites. Loss-of-function variants in CYP24A1 are associated with 24-hydroxylase deficiency (24HD), characterized by hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and nephrocalcinosis. We retrospectively reviewed laboratory, imaging, and clinical characteristics of patients with suspected or confirmed 24HD and patients with other vitamin D−mediated hypercalcemia disorders: sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and exogenous vitamin D toxicity (EVT).ObjectiveTo identify features that differentiate 24HD from other vitamin D-mediated hypercalcemia disorders.MethodsPatients seen at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) from January 1, 2008, to 31 December, 2016, with the following criteria were retrospectively identified: serum calcium ≥9.6 mg/dL, parathyroid hormone <30 pg/mL, and 1,25(OH)2D3 >40 pg/mL. Patients were considered to have 24HD if they had (1) confirmed CYP24A1 gene variant or (2) 25(OH)D3:24,25(OH)2D ratio ≥50. Patients with sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and EVT were also identified. Groups were compared using the Fisher exact test (categorical variables) or the Wilcoxon rank sum test (continuous variables).ResultsWe identified 9 patients with 24HD and 28 with other vitamin D−mediated disorders. Patients with 24HD were younger at symptom onset (median 14 vs 63 years; P = .001) and had positive family history (88.9% vs 20.8%; P < .001), nephrocalcinosis (88.9% vs 6.3%; P < .001), lower lumbar spine Z-scores (median −0.50 vs 1.20; P = .01), higher peak serum phosphorus (% of peak reference range, median 107 vs 84; P = .01), and higher urinary calcium:creatinine ratios (median 0.24 vs 0.17; P = .047).ConclusionPatients with 24HD had clinical and laboratory findings that differed from other vitamin D−mediated hypercalcemia disorders. 24HD should be suspected in patients with hypercalcemia who present at younger age, have positive family history, and have nephrocalcinosis.

Abstract Background and Aims Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by hepatic overproduction of oxalate. Excretion of oxalate via the kidneys leads to recurrent kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, progressive kidney disease, and multiorgan damage from systemic oxalosis. Lumasiran, a subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic indicated for the treatment of PH1 in all age groups, has multiple ongoing phase 3 studies including ILLUMINATE-A, which enrolled 39 patients ≥6 years of age with eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73m2, and ILLUMINATE-B, which enrolled 18 patients <6 years of age with eGFR >45 mL/min/1.73m2 if ≥12 months of age or normal serum creatinine if <12 months of age. Here we present a comparison of the efficacy and safety of lumasiran in children versus adults with PH1 using pooled data from these two phase 3 studies of lumasiran. Method Efficacy and safety data from ILLUMINATE-A and ILLUMINATE-B, including urinary oxalate, plasma oxalate, eGFR, and adverse events were pooled and assessed by age <18 (N=40), or ≥18 years old (N=17). The analysis included all available data from 57 patients with PH1, ages 4 months to 60 years, who completed the initial 6 months of treatment with lumasiran. Results During the initial 6 months of treatment with lumasiran, patients with PH1 had a rapid and sustained decrease in urinary oxalate. The overall mean (SEM) percent reduction in urinary oxalate:creatinine ratios as measured in random spot urine samples from baseline to Month 6 was 63.1% (2.6) across all ages (N=54). A similar time course and magnitude of reduction was seen in patients <18 years at 64.5% (3.3) (N=38), and ≥18 years old at 59.8% (4.4) (N=16). The oxalate reductions observed in random spot urine samples were comparable to those observed from 24-hour urine collections. The overall mean (SEM) percent reduction in urinary oxalate excretion from 24-hour collections was 63.8% (2.6) across all ages (N=40), 63.2% (3.5) in the <18 group (N=23) and 64.8% (3.9) in the ≥18 group (N=17). The overall mean (SEM) percent reduction in plasma oxalate from baseline to Month 6 was 39.5% (3.7) across all ages (N=44), with similar reductions of 39.4% (4.6) and 39.7% (6.5) in patients <18 (N=30) and ≥18 (N=14) years of age, respectively. eGFR was calculated for all patients ≥12 months of age and remained stable in both age groups during the 6 months of treatment with lumasiran. The 57 patients had a cumulative exposure of 27.1 patient-years and 227 doses were given. Adverse events were reported in 86% of all patients, 88% of patients <18, and 82% of patients ≥18 years of age. All adverse events were graded as mild or moderate in severity by the investigator. One patient had a serious adverse event of viral infection that was not related to lumasiran. In all patients, the most common adverse events related to lumasiran were mild, transient, injection site reactions, experienced by 30% of all patients, 23% of patients <18 and 47% of patients ≥18 years of age. No treatment interruptions or discontinuations related to lumasiran or deaths occurred. Conclusion Lumasiran reduced urinary and plasma oxalate to a similar degree in pediatric and adult patients with PH1 enrolled in the Phase 3 studies ILLUMINATE-A and ILLUMINATE-B. Reductions in urinary oxalate were similar between random spot urine samples and valid 24-hour urine collections. Overall safety was comparable between pediatric and adult patients.