title: Do kidney histology lesions predict long-term kidney function after liver transplantation?
abstract: Histological renal lesions observed after liver transplantation are complex, multifactorial, and interrelated. The aims of this study were to determine whether kidney lesions observed at five yr after liver transplantation can predict long-term kidney function. Ninety-nine liver transplant patients receiving calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression, who had undergone a kidney biopsy at 60±48 months post-transplant, were included in this follow-up study. Kidney biopsies were scored according to the Banff classification. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was assessed at last follow-up, that is, 109±48 months after liver transplantation. eGFR decreased from 92±33 mL/min at transplantation to 63±19 mL/min after six months, to 57±17 mL/min at the kidney biopsy, to 54±24 mL/min at last follow-up (p<0.0001). At last follow-up, only three patients required renal replacement therapy. After the kidney biopsy, 13 patients were converted from CNIs to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, but no significant improvement in eGFR was observed after conversion. Elevated eGFR at six months post-transplant and a lower fibrous intimal thickening score (cv) observed at five yr post-transplant were the two independent predictive factors for eGFR≥60 mL/min at nine yr post-transplant. Long-term kidney function seems to be predicted by the kidney vascular lesions.
authors: Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. kamar.n@chu-toulouse.fr
authors: Nassim
authors: N
authors: Kamar
authors: Chakib
authors: C
authors: Maaroufi
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Guilbeau-Frugier
authors: Aude
authors: A
authors: Servais
authors: Vannary
authors: V
authors: Meas-Yedid
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Tack
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Thervet
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Cointault
authors: Laure
authors: L
authors: Esposito
authors: Joelle
authors: J
authors: Guitard
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Lavayssière
authors: Clarisse
authors: C
authors: Panterne
authors: Fabrice
authors: F
authors: Muscari
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Bureau
authors: Lionel
authors: L
authors: Rostaing
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate