Degree of Glomerulosclerosis in Procurement Kidney Biopsies from Marginal Donor Kidneys and Their Implications in Predicting Graft Outcomes.

Wisit Cheungpasitporn,Lee S Cummings,Api Chewcharat,Charat Thongprayoon,Michael A Mao,Felicitas L Koller,Jameson Forster,Panupong Hansrivijit,Pradeep K Vaitla,Sohail Abdul Salim,Napat Leeaphorn,Eddie Island,Sreelatha Katari,Tarun Bathini

doi:10.3390/jcm9051469

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the association between the percentage of glomerulosclerosis (GS) in procurement allograft biopsies from high-risk deceased donor and graft outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: The UNOS database was used to identify deceased-donor kidneys with a kidney donor profile index (KDPI) score > 85% from 2005 to 2014. Deceased donor kidneys were categorized based on the percentage of GS: 0–10%, 11–20%, >20% and no biopsy performed. The outcome included death-censored graft survival, patient survival, rate of delayed graft function, and 1-year acute rejection. Results: Of 22,006 kidneys, 91.2% were biopsied showing 0–10% GS (58.0%), 11–20% GS (13.5%), >20% GS (19.7%); 8.8% were not biopsied. The rate of kidney discard was 48.5%; 33.6% in 0–10% GS, 68.9% in 11–20% GS, and 77.4% in >20% GS. 49.8% of kidneys were discarded in those that were not biopsied. Death-censored graft survival at 5 years was 75.8% for 0–10% GS, 70.9% for >10% GS, and 74.8% for the no biopsy group. Among kidneys with >10% GS, there was no significant difference in death-censored graft survival between 11–20% GS and >20% GS. Recipients with >10% GS had an increased risk of graft failure (HR = 1.27, p < 0.001), compared with 0–10% GS. There was no significant difference in patient survival, acute rejection at 1-year, and delayed graft function between 0% and 10% GS and >10% GS. Conclusion: In >85% KDPI kidneys, our study suggested that discard rates increased with higher percentages of GS, and GS >10% is an independent prognostic factor for graft failure. Due to organ shortage, future studies are needed to identify strategies to use these marginal kidneys safely and improve outcomes.

Highlights

In the United States, more than 90,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are currently waiting for a kidney transplant [1,2]
In 2013, the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) Kidney Transplantation Committee approved a new allocation policy based on the kidney donor profile index (KDPI), a percentile score that compares an organ to previously recovered kidneys and signifies donor factors affecting transplant function [11]
The aim of this study is to explore the association between the percentage of GS and graft outcomes in kidney transplant recipients who received KDPI >85% kidneys between 1 January 2005 to 2 December 2014 using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/UNOS database

Summary

Introduction

In the United States, more than 90,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are currently waiting for a kidney transplant [1,2]. A significant gap between the number of kidney transplant candidates and donors remains an ongoing problem, resulting in a median wait time exceeding four years [3,4,5,6]. This delay has a dramatic impact on ESKD patients on the transplant waiting list, as their survival is, on average, below 40% after 5 years on dialysis [7]. This study aimed to assess the association between the percentage of glomerulosclerosis (GS) in procurement allograft biopsies from high-risk deceased donor and graft outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. Conclusion: In >85% KDPI kidneys, our study suggested that discard rates increased with higher percentages of GS, and GS >10% is an independent prognostic factor for graft failure. Future studies are needed to identify strategies to use these marginal kidneys safely and improve outcomes

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Results

Conclusion