Ayman Maher Nagib

Long-Term Study of Steroid Avoidance in Renal Transplant Patients: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES Steroids have played a major role in renal transplantation for more than 4 decades. However, chronic use of steroids is associated with many comorbidities. This study aimed to assess the costs and benefits of a steroid-free immunosuppression regimen in a prospective randomized controlled study of living-donor renal transplantation, which was lacking in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our study, 428 patients were enrolled to receive tacrolimus (Tac), mycophenolic acid (MPA), basiliximab (Simulect, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) induction and steroids only for 3 days (214 patients, study group) and steroid maintenance (214 patients, control group). Median follow-up was 66 ± 41 months. RESULTS We found that both groups showed comparable graft and patient survival, rejection episodes, and graft function. Posttransplantation hypertension was detected in 40% of the steroid-free group and 80% of the steroid maintenance group (P = .05), whereas posttransplantation diabetes mellitus was detected in 5% and 15% of these 2 groups, respectively (P = .3). CONCLUSIONS Among low-immunological-risk recipients of living-donor renal transplants, steroid avoidance was feasible, safe, and had less morbidity outcome using Simulect induction, then Tac and MPA as maintenance immunosuppression. Steroid avoidance was associated with a lower total cost despite comparable immunosuppression cost, which was attributed to the lower cost of associated morbidities.

New Onset Diabetes Mellitus after Living Donor Renal Transplantation: A Unique Pattern in the Egyptian Population

Objectives: Our aim was to identify the diabetic risk profile of new onset diabetes after live donor renal transplantation (NODAT) and its impact on patient and graft survival in Egyptian population. Patient and methods: A retrospective review of 2019 renal allograft recipients has been performed. Risk factors, medical complications, patient and graft survival were analyzed. Results: After a mean follow up period of 8.8 ± 5.8 years, 450 (22.2%) recipients developed NODAT. A 455 post transplantation time matched control recipients without DM was selected. Time table revealed that 50% of NODAT cases discovered during the first 6 months post transplantation. The NODAT recipients were significantly older and obese with higher body mass index. Family history of DM was significantly positive among the NODAT group. Cox’s multivariate regression analysis revealed that the older age, positive family history of DM, high BMI, HCV infection and hypercholesterolemia were of significant risk factor. Medical complications were significant in the NODAT group. Patient survival was significantly lower in the NODAT group on the other hand the graft survival was comparable. Conclusion: NODAT does not statistically affect the graft survival. But, NODAT is a major problem endangers the patient life and must be minded to consider such patient as especially at higher risk for diabetic complications.

Impact of Donor Source on the Outcome of Live Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience

Background Renal transplantation is the ideal method for management of end-stage renal disease. The use of living donors for renal transplantation was critical for early development in the field and preceded the use of cadaveric donors. Most donors are related genetically to the recipients, like a parent, a child, or a sibling of the recipient, but there are an increasing percentage of cases where donors are genetically unrelated like spouses, friends, or altruistic individuals. Donor shortages constitute the major barrier for kidney transplantation, and much effort has been made to increase the supply of living donors. The impact of donor source on the outcome of renal transplantation is not adequately studied in our country. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of donor source on the outcome of live donor kidney transplantation. Patients and Methods From March 1976 to December 2013, the number of patients that underwent living renal transplantation sharing at least one HLA haplotype with their donors was 2,485. We divided these patients into two groups: (1) 2,075 kidney transplant recipients (1,554 or 74.9% male and 521 or 25.1% female) for whom the donors were living related, (2) 410 kidney transplant recipients (297 or 72.4% male and 113 or 27.6% female) for whom the donors were living unrelated. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of a calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine and prednisolone. We compared acute rejection and complication rates, as well as long-term graft and patient survival of both groups. Demographic characteristics were compared using the chi-square test. Graft survival and patient survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The percentages of patients with acute vascular rejection were significantly higher in the unrelated group, while percentages of patients with no rejection were significantly higher in the related group, but there were no significant differences regarding patient and graft survivals between both groups. Conclusions Kidney transplant recipients who received their grafts either from live related donors or live unrelated donors had comparable patient and graft survival outcomes.

Adolescent with Hypothyroidism Induced Rhabdomyolysis and AcuteKidney Injury

Objectives: Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening syndrome. Hypothyroid patients may present with myopathy and mild elevation of CK levels; however, overt rhabdomyolysis is extremely rare, and few cases have been described. Hypothyroidism should be considered in patients presenting with renal impairment associated with rhabdomyolysis. Case report: A 24-year-old young man with accidently discovered hypothyrodism on admission presented with generalized myalgia, profound proximal muscle weakness of the bilateral lower extremities, anuria, vomiting and dark colored urine lasting for three days. Neurological examination revealed bilateral marked weakness and tenderness of muscles of both lower and upper extremities. Urine had dark red appearance and urinalysis showed blood reaction with dipstick test, but there were no erythrocytes on microscopic examination. Serum creatine phosphokinase and myoglobin levels were elevated. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were high, and Free Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) levels were low, renal function tests showed acute kidney injury. Other causes of rhabdomyolysis such as muscular trauma, drugs, toxins, infections, vigorous exercise, and electrolyte abnormalities were excluded. Hemodialysis was administered for five sessions. After L-thyroxine therapy, thyroid function tests normalized, muscle strength improved, serum muscle enzyme levels returned to normal levels, and renal function tests recovered. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism should be considered in patients presenting with renal impairment associated with rhabdomyolysis.

Long Term Prospective Assessment of Living Kidney Donors: Single Center Experience

Virtually, all studies reporting the outcomes of living kidney donation beyond the first year from donation were retrospective. In this prospective study, the outcome of 81 consecutive living kidney donors was thoroughly evaluated. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological assessments were carried out at predonation (basal), 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after donation. The mean age at time of donation was 37.8 ± 9.8 years and the majority was females (75.3%). The mean BMI increased significantly after donation (P < 0.04). The mean serum creatinine levels (mg/dl) were 0.75 ± 0.14, 1.01 ± 0.22, 0.99 ± 0.21, 0.98 ± 0.20, and 0.94 ± 0.20 (P < 0.0001). Likewise, the mean levels of measured creatinine clearance (mL/min) were 148.8 ± 35.7, 94.7 ± 26.6, 95.5 ± 24.6, 96.7 ± 20.2, and 101.6 ± 26.2 (P < 0.0001). The mean 24 hours urinary protein excretion (gm/dL) were 0.09 ± 0.03, 0.19 ± 0.18, 0.16 ± 0.09, 0.18 ± 0.25, and 0.17 ± 0.12 (P < 0.0001). There were significant increases in the means of the longitudinal and transverse diameters of the remaining kidney over time (P < 0.001). Out of 42 female donors, eleven female donors have got successful postdonation pregnancies. There were no reported surgical complications, either intra- or postoperative. Long-term follow-up is necessary for all living kidney donors through local institutional and world registries. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00813579.

A woman with recurrent hematuria: a diagnostic challenge in Egypt

Objectives Thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) or benign familial hematuria is common in women. The median age is 37 years among adults. About two-third of the patients with TBMD have at least one other hematuric family member when five relatives are tested. Case report We hereby present a case of adult TBMD to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of the disease in 56-year-old woman with long-standing intermittent dark colored urine with proteinuria, normal serum creatinine, and with normal blood pressure. Renal pathology showed normal renal tissue by using the light and immunofluorescence examination. Thinning of the glomerular basement membrane, ranging from 110 to 200 nm, was demonstrated by using electron microscopy. Conclusion Although it is part of routine nephropathology worldwide, electron microscopic examination of renal biopsies are rarely used in Egypt. This important diagnostic pillar should be more frequently used among our patients, especially when clinicopathologic diagnosis is unclear.

Study of the risk factors and complications of diabetes mellitus after live kidney donation.

OBJECTIVES Kidney donors, similar to the general population, are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The course of donors who develop T2DM has not been well studied. This work estimates the incidence of diabetes after kidney donation, and some risk factors and complications of diabetes mellitus postdonation. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study examined the records of 2267 donors who donated one of their kidneys between 1976 and 2014 at the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Egypt, and who were regularly followed up at its outpatient clinic. A total of 388 donors were included in the study, and their medical records were revised. RESULTS Postdonation weight gain and family history of diabetes mellitus were statistically significant for the development of diabetes mellitus, high or very high albuminuria, and/or decreased creatinine clearance. Metformin and insulin use seemed to significantly reduce the protein excretion and creatinine clearance decline in the studied group. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant impact of a family history of diabetes mellitus on the development of high or very high albuminuria and/or decreased creatinine clearance.