Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Posttransplant Erythrocytosis Among Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background. Posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) is a well-known complication of kidney transplantation. However, the risk and outcomes of PTE among simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) recipients are poorly described. Methods. We analyzed all SPKT recipients at our center between 1998 and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mina L. Gibes, BA, Brad C. Astor, PhD, MPH, Jon Odorico, MD, Didier Mandelbrot, MD, Sandesh Parajuli, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2024-04-01
Series:Transplantation Direct
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/transplantationdirect/fulltext/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001607
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Summary:Background. Posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) is a well-known complication of kidney transplantation. However, the risk and outcomes of PTE among simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) recipients are poorly described. Methods. We analyzed all SPKT recipients at our center between 1998 and 2021. PTE was defined as at least 2 consecutive hematocrit levels of >51% within the first 2 y of transplant. Controls were selected at a ratio of 3:1 at the time of PTE occurrence using event density sampling. Risk factors for PTE and post-PTE graft survival were identified. Results. Of 887 SPKT recipients, 108 (12%) developed PTE at a median of 273 d (interquartile range, 160–393) after transplantation. The incidence rate of PTE was 7.5 per 100 person-years. Multivariate analysis found pretransplant dialysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-5.92; P < 0.001), non-White donor (HR: 2.14; 95% CI, 1.25-3.66; P = 0.01), female donor (HR: 1.50; 95% CI, 1.0-2.26; P = 0.05), and male recipient (HR: 2.33; 95% CI, 1.43-3.70; P = 0.001) to be associated with increased risk. The 108 cases of PTE were compared with 324 controls. PTE was not associated with subsequent pancreas graft failure (HR: 1.36; 95% CI, 0.51-3.68; P = 0.53) or kidney graft failure (HR: 1.16; 95% CI, 0.40-3.42; P = 0.78). Conclusions. PTE is a common complication among SPKT recipients, even in the modern era of immunosuppression. PTE among SPKT recipients was not associated with adverse graft outcomes, likely due to appropriate management.
ISSN:2373-8731