A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of glycemic control on renal transplantation outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Outcomes from intensive glycemic control postrenal transplant have not been studied.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to observe the optimal management of hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance receiving renal transplantation.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized controlled trial with patients undergoing renal transplantation randomized to either i.v. insulin therapy (intensive) or standard s.c. insulin therapy while the patients were admitted to the hospital.


METHODS
The study consisted of a 3-day postrenal transplant group treated with intensive i.v. insulin [blood glucose (BG) = 70-110 mg/dl] or a control group treated with s.c. insulin (BG = 70-180 mg/dl).


METHODS
The primary endpoint was delayed graft function (DGF). Secondary endpoints were glycemic control, graft survival, and acute rejection episodes.


RESULTS
A total of 104 patients were screened and randomized to either the intensive or control condition; however, the intention-to-treat analysis set consisted of only the 93 participants (n = 44 intensive, n = 49 control) that underwent a renal transplant. DGF was present in 18% (eight of 44) of the intensive group and 24% (12 of 49) of the control group (P = 0.46). The occurrence of severe hypoglycemia (BG < 40 mg/dl) and severe hyperglycemia (BG > 350 mg/dl) were the primary safety outcome measures. There were nine participants with hypoglycemia identified, seven of which (78%) were in the intensive treatment group (P = 0.08). There were 30 instances of hyperglycemia with five participants (11%) in the intensive group and 12 participants (24%) in the control group having at least one hyperglycemic event (P = 0.10). For the 11 rejection episodes, nine were in the intensive treatment group (P = 0.013).


CONCLUSIONS
The primary outcome measure of DGF was not statistically different for the two treatment groups. Regarding longer-term rejection and graft survival, the intensively treated participants were at higher risk for a rejection episode.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Medical Genetics, 816 CSB, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. hermayer@musc.edu
Kathie L
KL
Hermayer
Maria F
MF
Egidi
Nancy J
NJ
Finch
Prabhakar
P
Baliga
Angello
A
Lin
Lindsey
L
Kettinger
Shari
S
Biggins
Rickey E
RE
Carter
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin