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Abstract Background Kidney transplantation (KT) improves clinical outcomes of patients with end stage renal disease. Little has been reported on the impact of early post-operative surgical complications (SC) on long-term clinical outcomes following KT. We sought to determine the impact of vascular complications, urological complications, surgical site complications, and peri-graft collections within 30 days of transplantation on patient survival, graft function, and hospital readmissions. Methods We conducted a single-centre, observational cohort study examining adult patients (≥ 18 years) who received a kidney transplant from living and deceased donors between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015 with follow-up until December 31st, 2016 (n = 1,334). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the outcomes of SC in the early post-operative period after KT. Results The cumulative probability of SC within 30 days of transplant was 25%, the most common SC being peri-graft collections (66.8%). Multivariable analyses showed significant relationships between Clavien Grade 1 SC and death with graft function (HR 1.78 [95% CI: 1.11, 2.86]), and between Clavien Grades 3 to 4 and hospital readmissions (HR 1.95 [95% CI: 1.37, 2.77]). Conclusions Early SC following KT are common and have a significant influence on long-term patient outcomes.

Background: Kidney transplant recipients with graft failure (KTR-GF) and those with a failing graft are an increasingly prevalent group of patients. Their clinical management is complex, and outcomes are worse than transplant naïve patients on dialysis. In 2023, the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization reported findings from a controversies conference and identified several clinical practice priorities for KTR-GF. Objective: As an exercise in needs assessment, we aimed to collate and summarize current practices in adult Canadian kidney transplant programs around these KDIGO-identified clinical practice priorities. Design: Environmental scan followed by content analysis. Setting: Canadian adult kidney transplant programs. Measurements: We categorized the themes of our content analysis around 7 clinical practice priorities: (1) determining prognosis and kidney failure trajectory; (2) immunosuppression management; (3) management of medical complications; (4) preparing for return to dialysis; (5) evaluation and listing for re-transplantation; (6) management of psychological effects; and (7) transition to supportive care. Methods: We solicited documents that identified each program’s current care practices for KTR-GF or patients with a failing graft, including policies, procedures, pathways, and protocols. A content analysis of documents and informal correspondence (email or telephone conversations) was done to extract information surrounding the 7 practice priorities. Results: Of the 18 programs contacted, 12 transplant programs participated in this study and a document from a provincial organization (where 2 non-responding programs are located) was procured and included in this analysis. Overall, practice gaps and discrepancies were noted. Many participants highlighted the lack of evidence or consensus to guide the management of KTR-GF as the key reason. Immunosuppression management was the most frequently addressed priority. Six programs and the provincial document recommended a nuanced approach to immunosuppressant management based on clinical factors and re-transplant candidacy. Two programs used the Kidney Failure Risk Equation and eGFR to determine referral trajectories and prepare patients for return to dialysis. Exact processes outlining medical management during the transition were not found except for nephrectomy indications and in 1 program that has a specific transition clinic for KTR-GF. All programs have a formal or informal policy that KTR-GF should be assessed for re-transplantation. Referrals for psychological support and transition to supportive care were made on a case-by-case basis. Limitations: Our environmental scan was at risk of non-response bias and restricted to transplant programs. Kidney clinics and dialysis units may have relevant policies and procedures that were not examined. Conclusion: The findings from our environmental scan suggest gaps in care and potential areas for quality improvement, including a lack of multidisciplinary care, structured dialysis preparation and psychological support. There is also a need to prioritize research that generates evidence to guide the management of KTR-GF and contributes to the aim of developing clinical practice guidelines.

Background. Solid organ transplant recipients have a high risk of severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across multiple waves in the solid organ transplant population and how this compares to the general population is limited. We conducted a population-based cohort study using linked administrative healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada to answer this question. Methods. We included 15 306 solid organ transplant recipients and 12 160 904 individuals from the general population. Our primary outcome was the rate (per 100 person-years) of severe COVID-19 (ie, hospitalization or death with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test) occurring between January 25, 2020, and November 30, 2022. Results. Compared with the general population, solid organ transplant recipients had almost a 6 times higher rate of severe COVID-19 (20.39 versus 3.44 per 100 person-years), with almost 5.5 times as high a rate of death alone (4.19 versus 0.77 per 100 person-years). Transplant recipients with severe COVID-19 were substantially younger (60.1 versus 66.5 y) and had more comorbidities. The rate of severe COVID-19 declined over time in the solid organ transplant population, with an incidence rate of 41.25 per 100 person-years in the first wave (January 25, 2020, to August 31, 2020) and 18.41 in the seventh wave (June 19, 2022, to November 30, 2022, Omicron era). Conclusions. Solid organ transplant recipients remain at high risk of severe outcomes when they are infected with SARS-CoV-2. Resources and strategies to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 exposure are needed in this vulnerable patient population.

Rationale: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by excessive immune activation. It is more commonly seen in children but increasingly recognized in adults. Primary HLH relies on a genetic predisposition, whereas secondary HLH develops in the context of infections, malignancies, or autoimmune diseases. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis has been rarely described in patients on immunosuppressive therapy after kidney transplant. Here, we describe a case of HLH in a patient with a remote history of kidney transplant, triggered by a viral infection. Presenting Concerns: A 45-year-old female, with a kidney transplant in 2009 for IgA nephropathy, presented with fever, vomiting, and back pain of 1-week duration. She was on triple immunosuppression consisting of daily doses of prednisone 5 mg, azathioprine 100 mg, and tacrolimus extended release 1 mg, and a baseline creatinine of 130 µmol/L. Diagnosis: Initial investigations showed anemia, leukopenia, elevated serum creatinine, transaminitis, and markedly increased ferritin of 67 600 µg/L which prompted a bone marrow biopsy to rule out HLH. The bone marrow showed an increased proportion of CD68+ cells (macrophages) with more than 5 in 1000 hemophagocytic macrophages. Her soluble IL-2 receptor (CD25) level was 3406 pg/mL (606-2299 pg/mL) which was mildly elevated. She fulfilled 4 of the 8 criteria for HLH and with an H score was 223 which suggested a diagnosis of HLH with 96.9% probability. An extensive secondary workup for possible triggers for HLH led to a swab from genital ulcers that was positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the blood for HSV type 2 was also positive. Interventions: Given the diagnosis of HSV type 2 as the putative trigger for HLH, she was started on parenteral acyclovir for 2 weeks followed by oral valacyclovir for 2 more weeks. In the context of infection, the azathioprine was stopped while low-dose steroid and tacrolimus were continued. Outcomes: With the initiation of treatment for HSV infection, leukopenia, creatinine, and transaminases improved along with ferritin levels. At her 6-month follow-up, her blood counts and liver enzymes had normalized, and ferritin was 566 µg/L. Teaching points: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare disease in kidney transplant recipients with a high mortality rate. It can occur even in remote kidney transplant recipients so a high degree of suspicion is necessary to lead to a prompt diagnosis. Infections are common triggers for secondary HLH. Early identification and treatment of the triggering infection may improve outcomes.

Background: Eligible patients with kidney failure should have equal access to kidney transplantation. Transplant referral is the first crucial step toward receiving a kidney transplant; however, studies suggest substantial variation in the rate of kidney transplant referral across regions. The province of Ontario, Canada, has a public, single-payer health care system with 27 regional chronic kidney disease (CKD) programs. The probability of being referred for kidney transplant may not be equal across CKD programs. Objective: To determine whether there is variability in kidney transplant referral rates across Ontario’s CKD programs. Design: Population-based cohort study using linked administrative health care databases from January 1, 2013, to November 1, 2016. Setting: Twenty-seven regional CKD programs in the province of Ontario, Canada. Patients: Patients approaching the need for dialysis (advanced CKD) and patients receiving maintenance dialysis (maximum follow-up: November 1, 2017). Measurements: Kidney transplant referral. Methods: We calculated the 1-year unadjusted cumulative probability of kidney transplant referral for Ontario’s 27 CKD programs using the complement of Kaplan-Meier estimator. We calculated standardized referral ratios (SRRs) for each CKD program, using expected referrals from a 2-staged Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for patient characteristics in the first stage. Standardized referral ratios with a value less than 1 were below the provincial average (maximum possible follow-up of 4 years 10 months). In an additional analysis, we grouped CKD programs according to 5 geographic regions. Results: Among 8641 patients with advanced CKD, the 1-year cumulative probability of kidney transplant referral ranged from 0.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2%-3.7%) to 21.0% (95% CI: 17.5%-25.2%) across the 27 CKD programs. The adjusted SRR ranged from 0.2 (95% CI: 0.1-0.4) to 4.2 (95% CI: 2.1-7.5). Among 6852 patients receiving maintenance dialysis, the 1-year cumulative probability of transplant referral ranged from 6.4% (95% CI: 4.0%-10.2%) to 34.5% (95% CI: 29.5%-40.1%) across CKD programs. The adjusted SRR ranged from 0.2 (95% CI: 0.1-0.3) to 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6-2.1). When we grouped CKD programs according to geographic region, we found that patients residing in Northern regions had a substantially lower 1-year cumulative probability of transplant referral. Limitations: Our cumulative probability estimates only captured referrals within the first year of advanced CKD or maintenance dialysis initiation. Conclusions: There is marked variability in the probability of kidney transplant referral across CKD programs operating in a publicly funded health care system.

Abstract Background Rapid ethical access to personal health information (PHI) to support research is extremely important during pandemics, yet little is known regarding patient preferences for consent during such crises. This follow-up study sought to ascertain whether there were differences in consent preferences between pre-pandemic times compared to during Wave 1 of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and to better understand the reasons behind these preferences. Methods A total of 183 patients in the pandemic cohort completed the survey via email, and responses were compared to the distinct pre-pandemic cohort (n = 222); all were patients of a large Canadian cancer center. The survey covered (a) broad versus study-specific consent; (b) opt-in versus opt-out contact approach; (c) levels of comfort sharing with different recipients; (d) perceptions of commercialization; and (e) options to track use of information and be notified of results. Four focus groups (n = 12) were subsequently conducted to elucidate reasons motivating dominant preferences. Results Patients in the pandemic cohort were significantly more comfortable with sharing all information and biological samples (90% vs. 79%, p = 0.009), sharing information with the health care institution (97% vs. 83%, p

Abstract Background The shortage of available organs for life-saving transplants persists worldwide. While a majority support donating their organs or tissue when they die, many have not registered their wish to do so. When registered, next of kin are much more likely to follow-through with the decision to donate. In many countries, most people visit their family physician office each year and this setting is a promising, yet underused, site where more people could register for deceased organ donation. Our primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to promote organ donation registration in family physician’s offices. Methods We developed an intervention to address barriers and enablers to organ donation registration that involved physician office reception staff inviting patients to register on a tablet in the waiting room while they waited for their appointment. We conducted a cross-sectional stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled registry trial to evaluate the intervention. We recruited six family physician offices in Canada. All offices began with usual care and then every two weeks, one office (randomly assigned) started the intervention until all offices delivered the intervention. The primary outcome was registration for deceased organ donation in the provincial organ registration registry, assessed within the 7 days of the physician visit. At the end of the trial, we also conducted interviews with clinic staff to assess any barriers and enablers to delivering the intervention. Results The trial involved 24,616 patient visits by 13,562 unique patients: 12,484 visits in the intervention period and 12,132 in the control period. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of patients registered for deceased organ donation in the intervention versus control period (48.0% vs 46.2%; absolute difference after accounting for the secular trend: 0.12%; 95% CI: − 2.30, 2.54; p=0.92). Interviews with clinic staff indicated location of the tablet within a waiting room, patient rapport, existing registration, confidence and motivation to deliver the intervention and competing priorities as barriers and enablers to delivery. Conclusions Our intervention did not increase donor registration. Nonetheless, family physician offices may still remain a promising setting to develop and evaluate better interventions to increase organ donation registration. Trial registration NCT03213171

Objectives:. To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on solid organ transplantation. Background:. COVID-19 caused unprecedented disruption to solid organ transplantation (kidney, liver, heart, lung). Concerns about safety and decreases in deceased donors due to pandemic lockdowns have been described as potential causes. Methods:. We report population-based rates of transplantation during the first 3 waves of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada (March 1, 2020–July 3, 2021) versus a pre-COVID-19 baseline period (January 1, 2017–February 29, 2020). Poisson models were used to predict transplantation rates during COVID-19, based on pre-COVID-19 rates, and generate observed to expected rate ratios (RRs). Ninety-day transplant outcomes (mortality, retransplantation, transplant nephrectomy) were captured. Results:. A 34.4% decrease (RR, 0.656; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.586–0.734) in transplant rates was observed, coinciding with wave 1 and the deployment of a provincial transplant triaging system. Transplants decreased by 14.6% in wave 2 (RR, 0.854; 95% CI, 0.770–0.947) and 23.1% in wave 3 (RR, 0.769; 95% CI, 0.690–0.857) despite the triaging system not being activated. Overall, there was a 24.3% decrease (RR, 0.757; 95% CI, 0.679–0.844) in transplant rates, equivalent to 409 fewer transplants. No sustained changes were observed in heart or liver but sustained and large decreases were seen for lung (RR, 0.664; 95% CI, 0.482–0.915) and kidney (RR, 0.721; 95% CI, 0.602–0.863) transplantation. A low prevalence (1.7%) of COVID-19 infection within 90 days of transplantation was seen. No differences were observed in other 90-day outcomes. Conclusions:. Early safety concerns limited transplantation to immediate life-saving procedures; however, the reductions in kidney and lung transplants continued for the rest of the pandemic, where no restrictions were in place.

Objectives: To describe the feasibility of virtual assessments of physical frailty in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients using a modified Fried Frailty Index (mFFI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and to describe the prevalence of frailty 12-months post-transplant using virtual assessment. Methods: Virtual assessments were performed using an e-questionnaire and a video-call for functional tests. Feasibility variables included: internet quality, video-call duration, presence of a companion, and adverse events. Results: 34 SOT recipients, median age 62 (46-67), 76% lung recipients, 47% female, were included. The video-call had a median duration of 12 minutes (10-15 min), without adverse events. A companion was present in 23 (68%) video-call assessments. Fifteen SOT recipients (44%) were classified as pre-frail by the mFFI, and none were frail. Three participants (8.8%) were classified as frail using the SPPB. Conclusion: Virtual frailty assessments can be used as an alternative to in-person assessments in SOT recipients.

Clinical research is about asking and answering questions. Before solutions relevant to clinical problems can be sought, clinicians must frame questions in ways that are answerable using the methods of clinical research. Different types of questions are best answered using specific study designs. Each design has inherent strengths and limitations. In this review article, we provide an approach to asking answerable clinical research questions, review the major study designs, describe their strengths and weaknesses, and link the study designs to their intended purposes.

A 64-year-old man with Kaposi sarcoma in clinical remission after treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and a history of deceased-donor kidney transplantation 4 years prior presented with a slowly progressive increase in his serum creatinine level, well-controlled hypertension, stable subnephrotic-range proteinuria, and bland urinary sediment. An allograft kidney biopsy demonstrated thrombotic microangiopathy, without clinical or laboratory features of systemic involvement. Based on the timing of drug initiation preceding thrombotic microangiopathy, complete recovery after drug withdrawal, and the absence of other etiologies, it was concluded that pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was the likely cause of kidney-limited thrombotic microangiopathy. When pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was resumed, the patient developed hypertension and kidney allograft dysfunction. A new kidney biopsy was not performed because of the overall risk benefit. The case highlights the importance of recognizing novel etiologies of thrombotic microangiopathy in kidney transplant patients with malignancy. Although Kaposi sarcoma has not been linked to thrombotic microangiopathy, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been increasingly associated with drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report that etiologically links pegylated liposomal doxorubicin to kidney-limited thrombotic microangiopathy in a kidney transplant patient.

Background: Understanding rates of mortality in kidney transplant recipients relative to other common diseases can enhance our understanding of the mortality burden in kidney transplant recipients. Objective: To compare the survival probability in Canadian female and male kidney transplant recipients with patients with common cancers (female: breast, colorectal, lung, or pancreas; male: prostate, colorectal, lung, or pancreas) in a contemporary population. Design: Population-based cohort study using linked administrative health care databases. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Patients: A total of 6888 incident kidney transplant recipients (median age was 50 and 51 years in females and males, respectively) and a total of 532 452 incident patients with cancer (median age range 60 to 72 years across cancer types) from 1997 to 2015. Measurements: All-cause mortality. Methods: The survival of study participants was described using the Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator. The rate of survival was compared between kidney transplant recipients and patients with cancer using extended Cox regression with a Heaviside function. Results: Kidney transplant recipients had a higher survival probability compared with all cancer types. For example, male kidney transplant recipients had a 5-year survival probability of 89.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.6%-90.5%) compared with 83.3% (95% CI: 83.1%-83.5%) in patients with prostate cancer, and 14.0% (95% CI: 13.7%-14.3%), 56.1% (95% CI: 55.7%-56.5%), and 9.1% (95% CI: 8.5%-9.7%) in patients with lung, colorectal, and pancreas cancer, respectively. After presenting survival probabilities by age at cohort entry and after adjusting for clinical characteristics, similar results were found with a few exceptions. Unlike the unadjusted analysis, in the adjusted analysis males with prostate cancer had a significantly higher survival compared with kidney transplant recipients and females with breast cancer had higher survival compared with kidney transplant recipients at 2+ years of follow-up. In a subpopulation of the cohort who had information available on cancer stage (ie, stages 1-4), we generally found similar results to our primary analysis with kidney transplant recipients having a higher survival probability compared with each cancer stage. However, female kidney transplant recipients had a lower survival probability compared with females with stage 1 breast cancer, whereas male kidney transplant recipients had a lower survival probability compared with males with stage 1 to 3 prostate cancer. Limitations: External generalizability, residual confounding, and cancer stage could only be provided for a subpopulation. Conclusion: Mortality in kidney transplant recipients is lower than in patients with several cancer types. These results improve our understanding of the mortality burden in this population and reaffirm kidney transplantation as a good treatment option for end-stage kidney disease but also highlight the continuing need to improve posttransplant survival. Trial registration: This is not applicable as this is a population-based cohort study and not a clinical trial.

Background: Early hospital readmissions (EHRs) occur commonly in kidney transplant recipients. Conflicting evidence exists regarding risk factors and outcomes of EHRs. Objective: To determine risk factors and outcomes associated with EHRs (ie, hospitalization within 30 days of discharge from transplant hospitalization) in kidney transplant recipients. Design: Population-based cohort study using linked, administrative health care databases. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Patients: We included 5437 kidney transplant recipients from 2002 to 2015. Measurements: Risk factors and outcomes associated with EHRs. We assessed donor, recipient, and transplant risk factors. We also assessed the following outcomes: total graft failure, death-censored graft failure, death with a functioning graft, mortality, and late hospital readmission. Methods: We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association of each risk factor and the odds of EHR. To examine the relationship between EHR status (yes vs no [reference]) and the outcomes associated with EHR (eg, total graft failure), we used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Results: In all, 1128 kidney transplant recipients (20.7%) experienced an EHR. We found the following risk factors were associated with an increased risk of EHR: older recipient age, lower income quintile, several comorbidities, longer hospitalization for initial kidney transplant, and older donor age. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, compared to recipients without an EHR, recipients with an EHR had an increased risk of total graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.65), death-censored graft failure (aHR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.94), death with graft function (aHR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.59), mortality (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.63), and late hospital readmission in the first 0.5 years of follow-up (eg, 0 to

Background. Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) causes more than 50% of late kidney graft losses. In addition to anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donor-specific antibodies, antibodies against non-HLA antigens are also linked to AMR. Identifying key non-HLA antibodies will improve our understanding of AMR. Methods. We analyzed non-HLA antibodies in sera from 80 kidney transplant patients with AMR, mixed rejection, acute cellular rejection (ACR), or acute tubular necrosis. IgM and IgG antibodies against 134 non-HLA antigens were measured in serum samples collected pretransplant or at the time of diagnosis. Results. Fifteen non-HLA antibodies were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in AMR and mixed rejection compared with ACR or acute tubular necrosis pretransplant, and 7 at diagnosis. AMR and mixed cases showed significantly increased pretransplant levels of IgG anti-Ro/Sjögren syndrome-antigen A (SS-A) and anti-major centromere autoantigen (CENP)-B, compared with ACR. Together with IgM anti-CENP-B and anti-La/SS-B, these antibodies were significantly increased in AMR/mixed rejection at diagnosis. Increased IgG anti-Ro/SS-A, IgG anti-CENP-B, and IgM anti-La/SS-B were associated with the presence of microvascular lesions and class-II donor-specific antibodies (P < 0.05). Significant increases in IgG anti-Ro/SS-A and IgM anti-CENP-B antibodies in AMR/mixed rejection compared with ACR were reproduced in an external cohort of 60 kidney transplant patients. Conclusions. This is the first study implicating autoantibodies anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-CENP-B in AMR. These antibodies may participate in the crosstalk between autoimmunity and alloimmunity in kidney AMR.

Background. Despite comprehensive multidisciplinary candidacy assessments to determine appropriateness for solid organ transplantation, limitations persist in identifying candidates at risk of adverse outcomes. Frailty measures may help inform candidacy evaluation. Our main objective was to create a solid organ transplant frailty index (FI), using the cumulative deficits model, from data routinely collected during candidacy assessments. Secondary objectives included creating a social vulnerability index (SVI) from assessment data and evaluating associations between the FI and assessment, waitlist, and posttransplant outcomes. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study of solid organ transplant candidates from Toronto General Hospital, cumulative deficits FI and SVI were created from data collected during candidacy evaluations for consecutive kidney, heart, liver, and lung transplant candidates. Regression modeling measured associations between the FI and transplant listing, death or removal from the transplant waitlist, and survival after waitlist placement. Results. For 794 patients, 40 variable FI and 10 variable SVI were created (258 lung, 222 kidney, 201 liver, and 113 heart transplant candidates). The FI correlated with assessment outcomes; patients with medical contraindications (mean FI 0.35 ± 0.10) had higher FI scores than those listed (0.29 ± 0.09), P < 0.001. For listed patients, adjusted for age, sex, transplant type, and SVI, higher FI was associated with an increased risk of death (pretransplant or posttransplant) or delisting (hazard ratio 1.03 per 0.01 FI score, 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.05, P = 0.01). Conclusions. A cumulative deficits FI can be derived from routine organ transplant candidacy evaluations and may identify candidates at higher risk of adverse outcomes.

Background: The frequency and outcomes of starting maintenance dialysis in the hospital as an inpatient in kidney transplant recipients with graft failure are poorly understood. Objective: To determine the frequency of inpatient dialysis starts in patients with kidney graft failure and examine whether dialysis start status (hospital inpatient vs outpatient setting) is associated with all-cause mortality and kidney re-transplantation. Design: Population-based cohort study. Setting: We used linked administrative healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada. Patients: We included 1164 patients with kidney graft failure from 1994 to 2016. Measurements: All-cause mortality and kidney re-transplantation. Methods: The cumulative incidence function was used to calculate the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and kidney re-transplantation, accounting for competing risks. Subdistribution hazard ratios from the Fine and Gray model were used to examine the relationship between inpatient dialysis starts (vs outpatient dialysis start [reference]) and the dependent variables (ie, mortality or re-transplant). Results: We included 1164 patients with kidney graft failure. More than half (55.8%) of patients with kidney graft failure, initiated dialysis as an inpatient. Compared with outpatient dialysis starters, inpatient dialysis starters had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of mortality and a significantly lower incidence of kidney re-transplantation ( P < .001). The 10-year cumulative incidence of mortality was 51.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.4, 56.9%) (inpatient) and 35.3% (95% CI: 31.1, 40.1%) (outpatient). After adjusting for clinical characteristics, we found inpatient dialysis starters had a significantly increased hazard of mortality in the first year after graft failure (hazard ratio: 2.18 [95% CI: 1.43, 3.33]) but at 1+ years there was no significant difference between groups. Limitations: Possibility of residual confounding and unable to determine inpatient dialysis starts that were unavoidable. Conclusions: In this study we identified that most patients with kidney graft failure had inpatient dialysis starts, which was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Further research is needed to better understand the reasons for an inpatient dialysis start in this patient population.

Background: In Ontario, kidney transplants have risen by 4% annually in recent years. An understanding of how this will affect the future annual number of posttransplant follow-up visits informs how to organize and deliver care. Objective: We projected the required number of annual posttransplant follow-up nephrology visits to inform posttransplant care delivery. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Linked databases from Ontario, Canada (population 14 million). Patients: Incident kidney transplant recipients from years 2008 to 2013. Measurements: Frequency, distance traveled, and current and projected visits for posttransplant follow-up. Methods: Assuming a graft survival of 13 years and using the mean number of posttransplant clinic visits in years 1, 2, and 3, we forecasted the number of clinic visits needed in the year 2027. Results: Using data from 2443 recipients, the mean (SD) number of clinic visits per recipient was 14.0 (9.2) in the first year after transplant, and 3.9 (6.2) and 3.0 (5.3) in the second and third year, respectively. If transplant rates rise by 4% per year until 2027, the estimated annual visits number will increase from 30 622 to 43 948. The median (25th, 75th percentile) distance between transplant center and patient’s home was 30 (13, 65) km. The median round-trip travel distance for these visits in the first year after transplantation was 603 km per recipient, and median driving cost was Can$344 (2017). Limitations: Regarding patient expense, limitations include that distances traveled were calculated orthodromically, and we did not account for patient cost of follow-up beyond that of vehicular travel. Regarding follow-up projections, limitations include the assumption that graft life span will not change, follow-up patterns do not differ between donor kidney type, and we did not survey stakeholders as to their preferred method of follow-up. Conclusion: We quantified the increase in posttransplant visits when regional annual rates of transplantation rise. Strategies recognizing the burden of these visits may enhance patient-centered care, as it is unclear how some patients manage costs, nor how the current health care system will manage the demand.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant (KT) patients. Compared with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF), LV strain has emerged as an important marker of LV function as it is less load dependent. We sought to evaluate changes in LV strain using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in ESRD patients who received KT, to determine whether KT may improve LV function. Methods We conducted a prospective multi-centre longitudinal study of 79 ESRD patients (40 on dialysis, 39 underwent KT). CMR was performed at baseline and at 12 months after KT. Results Among 79 participants (mean age 55 years; 30% women), KT patients had significant improvement in global circumferential strain (GCS) (p = 0.007) and global radial strain (GRS) (p = 0.003), but a decline in global longitudinal strain (GLS) over 12 months (p = 0.026), while no significant change in any LV strain was observed in the ongoing dialysis group. For KT patients, the improvement in LV strain paralleled improvement in LVEF (57.4 ± 6.4% at baseline, 60.6% ± 6.9% at 12 months; p = 0.001). For entire cohort, over 12 months, change in LVEF was significantly correlated with change in GCS (Spearman’s r = − 0.42, p 0.10). Conclusions Compared with continuation of dialysis, KT was associated with significant improvements in LV strain metrics of GCS and GRS after 12 months, which did not correlate with blood pressure change. This supports the notion that KT has favorable effects on LV function beyond volume and blood pessure control. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Abstract Background There is a worldwide shortage of organs available for transplant, leading to preventable mortality associated with end-stage organ disease. While most citizens in many countries with an intent-to-donate “opt-in” system support organ donation, registration rates remain low. In Canada, most Canadians support organ donation but less than 25% in most provinces have registered their desire to donate their organs when they die. The family physician office is a promising yet underused setting in which to promote organ donor registration and address known barriers and enablers to registering for deceased organ and tissue donation. We developed a protocol to evaluate an intervention to promote registration for organ and tissue donation in family physician waiting rooms. Methods/design This protocol describes a planned, stepped-wedge, cluster randomized registry trial in six family physician offices in Ontario, Canada to evaluate the effectiveness of reception staff providing patients with a pamphlet that addresses barriers and enablers to registration including a description of how to register for organ donation. An Internet-enabled tablet will also be provided in waiting rooms so that interested patients can register while waiting for their appointments. Family physicians and reception staff will be provided with training and/or materials to support any conversations about organ donation with their patients. Following a 2-week control period, the six offices will cross sequentially into the intervention arm in randomized sequence at 2-week intervals until all offices deliver the intervention. The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients visiting the office who are registered organ donors 7 days following their office visit. We will evaluate this outcome using routinely collected registry data from provincial administrative databases. A post-trial qualitative evaluation process will assess the experiences of reception staff and family physicians with the intervention and the stepped-wedge trial design. Discussion Promoting registration for organ donation in family physician offices is a potentially useful strategy for increasing registration for organ donation. Increased registration may ultimately help to increase the number of organs available for transplant. The results of this trial will provide important preliminary data on the effectiveness of using family physician offices to promote registration for organ donation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03213171 . Registered on 11 July 2017.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging accurately and precisely measures left ventricular (LV) mass and function. Identifying mechanisms by which LV mass change and functional improvement occur in some end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients may help to appropriately target kidney transplant (KT) recipients for further investigation and intervention. The concentration of serum adiponectin, a cardiovascular biomarker, increases in cardiac failure, its production being enhanced by B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and both serum adiponectin and BNP concentrations decline posttransplantation. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that kidney transplantation alters LV characteristics that relate to serum adiponectin concentrations. Design: Prospective and observational cohort study. Setting: The study was performed at 3 adult kidney transplant and dialysis centers in Ontario, Canada. Patients: A total of 82 KT candidate subjects were recruited (39 to the KT group and 43 to the dialysis group). Predialysis patients were excluded. Measurements: Subjects underwent CMR with a 1.5-tesla whole-body magnetic resonance scanner using a phased-array cardiac coil and retrospective vectorographic gating. LV mass, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), and LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) were measured by CMR pre-KT and again 12 months post-KT (N = 39), or 12 months later if still receiving dialysis (N = 43). LV mass, LVESV, and LVEDV were indexed for height (m 2.7 ) to calculate left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), respectively. Serum total adiponectin and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) concentrations were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Methods: We performed a prospective 1:1 observational study comparing KT candidates with ESKD either receiving a living donor organ (KT group) or waiting for a deceased donor organ (dialysis group). Results: Left ventricular mass index change was −1.98 ± 5.5 and −0.36 ± 5.7 g/m 2.7 for KT versus dialysis subjects ( P = .44). Left ventricular mass change was associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) ( P = .0008) and average LV mass ( P = .0001). Left ventricular ejection fraction did not improve (2.9 ± 6.6 vs 0.7 ± 4.9 %, P = .09), while LVESVI and LVEDVI decreased more post-KT than with continued dialysis (−3.36 ± 5.6 vs −0.22 ± 4.4 mL/m 2.7 , P < .01 and −4.9 ± 8.5 vs −0.3 ± 9.2 mL/m 2.7 , P = .02). Both adiponectin (−7.1 ± 11.3 vs −0.11 ± 7.9 µg/mL, P < .0001) and NT-proBNP (−3811 ± 8130 vs 1665 ± 20013 pg/mL, P < .0001) declined post-KT. Post-KT adiponectin correlated with NT-proBNP ( P = .001), but not estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ( P = .13). Change in adiponectin did not correlate with change in LVEF in the KT group (Spearman ρ = 0.16, P = .31) or dialysis group (Spearman ρ = 0.19, P = .21). Limitations: Few biomarkers of cardiac function were measured to fully contextualize their role during changing kidney function. Limited intrapatient biomarker sampling and CMR measurements precluded constructing dose-response curves of biomarkers to LV mass and function. The CMR timing in relation to dialysis was not standardized. Conclusions: The LVESVI and LVEDVI but not LVMI or LVEF improve post-KT. LVMI and LVEF change is independent of renal function and adiponectin. As adiponectin correlates with NT-proBNP post-KT, improved renal function through KT restores the normal heart-endocrine axis.

Background: Several different indices summarize patient comorbidity using health care data. An accurate index can be used to describe the risk profile of patients, and as an adjustment factor in analyses. How well these indices perform in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well known. Objective: Assess the performance of 5 comorbidity indices at predicting mortality in 3 different patient groups with CKD: incident kidney transplant recipients, maintenance dialysis patients, and individuals with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Ontario, Canada, between 2004 and 2014. Patients: Individuals at the time they first received a kidney transplant, received maintenance dialysis, or were confirmed to have an eGFR less than 45 mL/min per 1.73m 2 . Measurements: Five comorbidity indices: Charlson comorbidity index, end-stage renal disease-modified Charlson comorbidity index, Johns Hopkins’ Aggregated Diagnosis Groups score, Elixhauser score, and Wright-Khan index. Our primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Methods: Comorbidity indices were estimated using information in the prior 2 years. Each group was randomly divided 100 times into derivation and validation samples. Model discrimination was assessed using median c-statistics from logistic regression models, and calibration was evaluated graphically. Results: We identified 4111 kidney transplant recipients, 23 897 individuals receiving maintenance dialysis, and 181 425 individuals with a low eGFR. Within 1 year, 108 (2.6%), 4179 (17.5%), and 17 898 (9.9%) in each group had died, respectively. In the validation sample, model discrimination was inadequate with median c-statistics less than 0.7 for all 5 comorbidity indices for all 3 groups. Calibration was also poor for all models. Limitations: The study used administrative health care data so there is the potential for misclassification. Indices were modeled as continuous scores as opposed to indicators for individual conditions to limit overfitting. Conclusions: Existing comorbidity indices do not accurately predict 1-year mortality in patients with CKD. Current indices could be modified with additional risk factors to improve their performance in CKD, or a new index could be developed for this population.

Background: Many patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) do not appreciate how their survival may differ if treated with a kidney transplant compared with dialysis. A risk calculator (iChoose Kidney) developed and validated in the United States provides individualized mortality estimates for different treatment options (dialysis vs living or deceased donor kidney transplantation). The calculator can be used with patients and families to help patients make more educated treatment decisions. Objective: To validate the iChoose Kidney risk calculator in Ontario, Canada. Design: External validation study. Setting: We used several linked administrative health care databases from Ontario, Canada. Patients: We included 22 520 maintenance dialysis patients and 4505 kidney transplant recipients. Patients entered the cohort between 2004 and 2014. Measurements: Three-year all-cause mortality. Methods: We assessed model discrimination using the C-statistic. We assessed model calibration by comparing the observed versus predicted mortality risk and by using smoothed calibration plots. We used multivariable logistic regression modeling to recalibrate model intercepts using a correction factor, when appropriate. Results: In our final version of the iChoose Kidney model, we included the following variables: age (18-80 years), sex (male, female), race (white, black, other), time on dialysis (12 months), and patient comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, and/or cardiovascular disease). Over the 3-year follow-up period, 33.3% of dialysis patients and 6.2% of kidney transplant recipients died. The discriminatory ability was moderate (C-statistic for dialysis: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.70, and C-statistic for transplant: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.69-0.75). The 3-year observed and predicted mortality estimates were comparable and even more so after we recalibrated the intercepts in 2 of our models (dialysis and deceased donor kidney transplantation). As done in the United States, we developed a Canadian Web site and an iOS application called Dialysis vs. Kidney Transplant- Estimated Survival in Ontario. Limitations: Missing data in our databases precluded the inclusion of all variables that were in the original iChoose Kidney (ie, patient ethnicity and low albumin). We were unable to perform all preplanned analyses due to the limited sample size. Conclusions: The original iChoose Kidney risk calculator was able to adequately predict mortality in this Canadian (Ontario) cohort of ESKD patients. After minor modifications, the predictive accuracy improved. The Dialysis vs. Kidney Transplant- Estimated Survival in Ontario risk calculator may be a valuable resource to help ESKD patients make an informed decision on pursuing kidney transplantation.

Background: Deceased donor kidney allocation in the United States is guided by the Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI). The generalizability of the KDRI beyond the United States has not been widely studied. Objective: To assess the generalizability of the KDRI in a cohort of non-US (Canadian) deceased donor kidney transplant recipients. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Patients: Recipients of deceased donor kidneys from January 1, 2005, to March 31, 2011. Methods: Using administrative data, we analyzed a cohort of deceased donor kidney recipients in Ontario, Canada. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the relationship between KDRI and the outcomes of graft loss and death. KDRI was modeled continuously and categorically. The ability of models with KDRI to predict recipient outcomes beyond donor age was also explored. Model discrimination was assessed using c -statistics, evaluated at 5 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 1299 consecutive deceased donor kidney transplant recipients were included. The median follow-up was 5.5 years. Mean donor age increased from 27 to 64 years across ascending KDRI quintiles. The adjusted relative hazards (95% confidence interval) for total graft loss from Q2 to Q5 (referent = Q1) were 1.27 (0.89-1.80), 1.58 (1.13-2.22), 1.43 (1.01-2.02), and 2.15 (1.54-2.99), respectively. Increased relative hazards across KDRI quintiles were also observed for death-censored graft loss, but not death with graft function. All-cause mortality was increased for the highest KDRI quintile only. In this cohort, a model with KDRI performed better than a model with donor age alone ( P = .009). Limitations: Large health care databases may have precluded the complete capture of covariate data. Conclusions: In conclusion, the KDRI is generalizable to Canadian patients in Ontario and may help inform risk assessment beyond donor age. The performance of KDRI in other non-US settings, and the need for additional model refinement, warrants further study.

Background: Hospitalizations of chronic dialysis patients have not been previously studied at a national level in Canada. Understanding the scope and variables associated with hospitalizations will inform measures for improvement. Objective: To describe the risk of all-cause and infection-related hospitalizations in patients on dialysis. Design: Retrospective cohort study using health care administrative databases. Setting: Provinces and territories across Canada (excluding Manitoba and Quebec). Patients: Incident chronic dialysis patients with a dialysis start date between January 1, 2005, and March 31, 2014. Patients with a prior history of kidney transplantation were excluded. Measurements: Patient characteristics were recorded at baseline. Dialysis modality was treated as a time-varying covariate. The primary outcomes of interest were all-cause and dialysis-specific infection-related hospitalizations. Methods: Crude rates for all-cause hospitalization and infection-related hospitalization were determined per patient year (PPY) at 7 and 30 days, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postdialysis initiation. A stratified, gamma-distributed frailty model was used to assess repeat hospital admissions and to determine the inter-recurrence dependence of hospitalizations within individuals, as well as the hazard ratio (HR) attributed to each covariate of interest. Results: A total of 38 369 incident chronic dialysis patients were included: 38 088 adults and 281 pediatric patients (age less than 18 years). There were 112 374 hospitalizations, of which 11.5% were infection-related hospitalizations. The all-cause hospitalization rate was similar for all adult age groups (age 65 years and older: 1.40, 1.35, and 1.18 admissions PPY at 7 days, 30 days, and 6 months, respectively). The all-cause hospitalization rate was higher for pediatric patients (1.67, 2.48, and 2.47 admissions PPY at 7 days, 30 days, and 6 months, respectively; adjusted HR: 2.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.37-3.15, referent age group: 45-64 years). Within the first 7 days after dialysis initiation, patients on peritoneal dialysis had a higher risk of all-cause hospitalization (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07-1.50) and infection-related hospitalization (HR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.19-3.55) compared with patients on hemodialysis. Beyond 7 days, the risk did not differ significantly by dialysis modality. Female sex and Indigenous race were significant risk factors for all-cause hospitalization. Limitations: The cohort had too few home hemodialysis patients to examine this subgroup. The outcome of infection-related hospitalization was determined using diagnostic codes. Dialysis patients from Manitoba and Quebec were not included. Conclusions: In Canada, the rates of hospitalization were not influenced by dialysis modality beyond the initial 7-day period following dialysis initiation; however, the rate of hospitalization in pediatric patients was higher than in adults at every time frame examined.

Background. Prolonged warm ischemia time (WIT) is associated with graft failure and mortality, however less is known about factors associated with prolonged WIT. Methods. In a cohort of United States deceased donor kidney transplant recipients identified using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (Jan 2005-Dec 2013), we identified factors associated with prolonged WIT (defined as ≥ 30 minutes versus 10-30 minutes) using hierarchical multilevel models adjusting for center effect, and WIT as a continuous variable using multiple linear regression of log-transformed data. Results. Among 55 829 patients, potentially modifiable risk factors associated with prolonged WIT included increased recipient body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-1.72 for BMI > 35), right donor kidney (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.08-1.19), and a prolonged cold ischemic time (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13-1.33 for cold ischemia time > 24 hours). Transplanting a right kidney into an obese recipient further prolonged WIT (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.55-1.98; for BMI > 35), increasing overall WIT by 11.0%. There was no correlation between median WIT for a given center and annual center transplant rate (pairwise correlation coefficient, 0.0898). Conclusions. In conclusion, several modifiable factors are associated with prolonged WIT and may represent strategies to improve WIT and subsequent posttransplant outcomes.

Background: Functional disability is defined as the need for assistance with self-care tasks. Objective: To document changes in functional status over time among older prevalent renal transplant recipients. Design: Single center, prospective, follow-up study. Setting: Single center, tertiary care transplant center. Patients: Patients, with a functioning kidney transplant, aged 65 years or older who underwent assessment of functional status approximately 12 months previously. Measurements: Validated tools used included Barthel Index, the Lawton-Brody Scale of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, the Timed Up and Go test, the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire, the Mini-Cog, and dynamometer handgrip strength. Methods: Outpatient assessment by a trained observer. Results: Of the 82 patients previously studied, 64 (78%) patients participated in the follow-up study (mean age 70.5 ± 4.4 years, 58% male, 55% diabetic). Among those completing functional status measures, 32 (50%) had functional disability at baseline. Over the 1-year period, 11 (17%) of these patients experienced progressive functional decline, 6 (9%) exhibited no change, and 15 (23%) had functional recovery. Eleven patients (17%) initially independent, developed new-onset disability. One of the strongest predictors of progressive functional decline was having 1 or more falls in the previous year. Limitations: Assessments were performed only on 2 occasions separated by approximately 1 year. Conclusions: Fluctuations in disability states are common among older adults living with renal transplants. Episodes of functional disability may place individuals at higher risk of persistent and/or progressive disability.

Background: Use of administrative data for outcomes assessment in living kidney donors is increasing given the rarity of complications and challenges with loss to follow-up. Objective: To assess the validity of living donor nephrectomy in health care administrative databases compared with the reference standard of manual chart review. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: 5 major transplant centers in Ontario, Canada. Patients: Living kidney donors between 2003 and 2010. Measurements: Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV). Methods: Using administrative databases, we conducted a retrospective study to determine the validity of diagnostic and procedural codes for living donor nephrectomies. The reference standard was living donor nephrectomies identified through the province’s tissue and organ procurement agency, with verification by manual chart review. Operating characteristics (sensitivity and PPV) of various algorithms using diagnostic, procedural, and physician billing codes were calculated. Results: During the study period, there were a total of 1199 living donor nephrectomies. Overall, the best algorithm for identifying living kidney donors was the presence of 1 diagnostic code for kidney donor (ICD-10 Z52.4) and 1 procedural code for kidney procurement/excision (1PC58, 1PC89, 1PC91). Compared with the reference standard, this algorithm had a sensitivity of 97% and a PPV of 90%. The diagnostic and procedural codes performed better than the physician billing codes (sensitivity 60%, PPV 78%). Limitations: The donor chart review and validation study was performed in Ontario and may not be generalizable to other regions. Conclusions: An algorithm consisting of 1 diagnostic and 1 procedural code can be reliably used to conduct health services research that requires the accurate determination of living kidney donors at the population level.

Background: Many families choose not to consent to organ donation at the time of their loved one’s death. In Ontario, Canada, whether these decisions vary by ethnicity remains unclear. Objective: To compare the proportion of families of immigrants who consented for deceased organ donation with families of long-term residents. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Potential donors in Ontario, Canada, between November 2008 and March 2013. Methods: We used linked administrative databases to study the proportion of families who consented for deceased organ donation. Results: Overall, of the 2873 families of potential donors approached, 1912 (67%) provided consent for deceased organ donation. Families of immigrants were less likely to provide consent compared with families of long-term residents (46% [135 of 291] vs 69% [1777 of 2582]; adjusted rate ratio (RR): 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.81). When examined by the country of birth, families of immigrants from the following regions were less likely to consent to organ donation compared with long-term residents: South Asia (RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.55-0.91), East Asia and Pacific (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.53-0.88) and Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa (RR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.37-0.91). Limitations: We could not determine why consent was not obtained. We had a small sample of immigrants. We only had access to the potential donors’ information and not the family member who was approached for consent. Many characteristics that we examined were nonmodifiable (eg, age, sex). Conclusions: In Ontario, families of immigrants are less likely to consent to deceased organ donation. There is an opportunity to better understand the reasons for lower consent among certain immigrant groups.

Background: The Kidney Foundation of Canada developed a pilot campaign to educate persons attending junior hockey league games in London, Ontario, Canada, on deceased organ donation. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a hockey campaign on the number of new organ and tissue donor registrants. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Residents of London, Ontario. Patients: We included 255 476 individuals eligible to register for organ donation with a London, Ontario postal code. Measurements: We compared the number of new deceased organ donor registrants in London, Ontario, during the campaign period (March 12 to April 16, 2015) with 3 different time periods (December 30, 2014 to February 3, 2015; February 4 to March 11, 2015; April 17 to May 22, 2015). We also compared registration rates in London with 2 Ontario cities (Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton) matching in a 1:1 ratio on age, sex, and income quintile. Methods: To compare registrations across time periods, we used binomial regression with an identity link function and generalized estimating equations with an independence correlation structure. We used modified Poisson regression to compare registration rates between cities. Results: During the campaign period, there were slightly more registrations (1218 registered of 252 832 unregistered individuals [0.48%]) compared with an earlier time period (risk difference: 0.09%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05%-0.12%). However, there was no significant difference compared with 2 time periods immediately before and after the campaign. London had slightly more registrations during the campaign period compared with the matched city of Hamilton (1180 registered of 236 582 unregistered individuals [0.50%] vs 490 registered of 236 582 unregistered individuals [0.21%]; risk ratio: 2.41; 95% CI: 2.17-2.68). The registration rate in London did not significantly differ from Kitchener-Waterloo. Limitations: Unable to conclude whether the minor increase in deceased organ donor registration was the result of the campaign or other factors (e.g., simultaneous organ registration events, seasonality). Conclusions: Overall, a minor increase in deceased organ donor registration was observed during the hockey organ donation awareness campaign; however, the specific impact of the campaign on organ donor registration could not be determined.

Background: Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are at significantly higher risk for morbidity and mortality compared with the general population, largely attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous estimates of CVD events have come from health care databases and retrospective studies. Objective: The objective of this study was to prospectively determine the prevalence of risk factors and incidence of CVD events in a Canadian cohort of RTRs. Design: Study of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Transplantation (SCORe) was a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter observational study. Setting: Adult RTRs were recruited from 6 participating transplant sites in Ontario, Canada. Patients: Eligible patients were those receiving a living or deceased donor renal transplant. Patients who received simultaneous transplant of any other organ were excluded. Measurements: Primary outcomes included myocardial infarction (MI) defined by American College of Cardiology (ACC-MI) criteria, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiovascular (CV) death, ACC-MI, coronary revascularization, and nonhemorrhagic stroke. CV events were adjudicated by a single, independent cardiologist. Methods: CV and transplant-specific risk factors that predict MACE and ACC-MI were identified by stepwise regression analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: A total of 1303 patients enrolled across 6 transplant centers were followed for 4.5 ± 1.6 years (mean ± SD). Incidence of MACE was 7.0%, with significant independent predictors/risk factors including age, diabetes, coronary revascularization, nonhemorrhagic stroke, and renal replacement therapy (RRT). ACC-MI incidence was 4.0%, with significant independent predictors/risk factors including age, coronary revascularization, and duration of RRT in excess of the median value (2.91 years). Limitations: Patients were recruited from a single province, so may not reflect the experience of RTRs in other areas of Canada. Conclusions: Using a prospective design and rigorous methodology, this study found that the incidence of CV events after renal transplantation was elevated relative to the general Canadian population and was comparable with that reported in patient registries, thus helping validate the utility of retrospective analysis in this field. SCORe highlights the importance of monitoring RTRs for traditional cardiac and transplant-specific CV risk factors to help prevent CV morbidity and mortality. Further research is needed to investigate a broader range of potential risk factors and their combined effects on incident CV events.

Background: Prediction of acute kidney transplant rejection remains imperfect despite several known risk factors. There is an increasing appreciation of the potential importance of the vitamin D pathway in immunological disease and transplantation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D with acute rejection. Design: This was a prospective cohort study. Setting: Three academic adult kidney transplant programs in Ontario, Canada, were chosen. Patients: All consecutive adult patients at the 3 institutions who received a solitary kidney transplant, were able to provide written informed consent, and planned to be followed at the same center post-operatively were included. Measurements: Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months post-transplantation. Acute rejection was classified using Banff criteria. Methods: The co-primary outcome was the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and time to first occurrence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) within the first year after kidney transplantation. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted taking into account the time-varying nature of serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Results: From 556 screened patients, data on 327 kidney transplant recipients are included. First BPAR occurred in 54 (16.5%) patients. In adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was not associated with acute renal transplant rejection (hazard ratio 1.00; 95% [confidence interval] CI, 0.87-1.14, per 10 nmol/L increase, and hazard ratio 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84-1.12, per 10 pmol/L increase, respectively). Limitations: Given the observational design, we cannot rule out the possibility of residual confounding that limited our ability to detect a clinically significant effect of vitamin D metabolites on acute rejection. Conclusions: A low serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is not associated with an increased risk of acute kidney transplant rejection following kidney transplantation.

Background: Early initiation of chronic dialysis (starting dialysis with higher vs lower kidney function) has risen rapidly in the past 2 decades in Canada and internationally, despite absence of established health benefits and higher costs. In 2014, a Canadian guideline on the timing of dialysis initiation, recommending an intent-to-defer approach, was published. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a knowledge translation intervention to promote the intent-to-defer approach in clinical practice. Design: This study is a multicenter, 2-arm parallel, cluster randomized trial. Setting: The study involves 55 advanced chronic kidney disease clinics across Canada. Patients: Patients older than 18 years who are managed by nephrologists for more than 3 months, and initiate dialysis in the follow-up period are included in the study. Measurements: Outcomes will be measured at the patient-level and enumerated within a cluster. Data on characteristics of each dialysis start will be determined by linkages with the Canadian Organ Replacement Register. Primary outcomes include the proportion of patients who start dialysis early with an estimated glomerular filtration rate greater than 10.5 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and start dialysis in hospital as inpatients or in an emergency room setting. Secondary outcomes include the rate of change in early dialysis starts; rates of hospitalizations, deaths, and cost of predialysis care (wherever available); quarterly proportion of new starts; and acceptability of the knowledge translation materials. Methods: We randomized 55 multidisciplinary chronic disease clinics (clusters) in Canada to receive either an active knowledge translation intervention or no intervention for the uptake of the guideline on the timing of dialysis initiation. The active knowledge translation intervention consists of audit and feedback as well as patient- and provider-directed educational tools delivered at a comprehensive in-person medical detailing visit. Control clinics are only exposed to guideline release without active dissemination. We hypothesize that the clinics randomized to the intervention group will have a lower proportion of early dialysis starts. Limitations: Limitations include passive dissemination of the guideline through publication, and lead-time and survivor bias, which favors delayed dialysis initiation. Conclusions: If successful, this active knowledge translation intervention will reduce early dialysis starts, lead to health and economic benefits, and provide a successful framework for evaluating and disseminating future guidelines. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02183987

Background: Although the outcomes of transplantation with expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys are inferior to non-ECD transplants in the USA, the impact of the ECD classification on Canadian kidney transplant recipients is not known. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the performance of the US-derived ECD classification among deceased donor kidney transplant recipients in a Canadian setting. Design: This study was a population-based cohort study. Setting: The study was conducted in all adult kidney transplant centers in the province of Ontario. Patients: The patients were incident-deceased donor kidney transplant recipients from January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2011. Measurements: Study subjects were identified through the Trillium Gift of Life Network and linked to healthcare databases in Ontario. ECD status was based on age, hypertension, kidney function, and stroke-related death. Outcomes of interest included graft loss, death, and delayed graft function. Methods: The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to graphically assess time to graft loss or death. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess graft loss or death as a function of ECD status. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted for the outcome of delayed graft function. Results: Of 1422 deceased donor kidney transplants, 325 (23 %) were from ECDs. The median donor age was 63 vs. 42 years for ECD vs. non-ECD, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence of total graft loss was 29.2 % in ECD and 20.7 % in non-ECD kidney transplants. The relative hazards for total graft loss (HR 1.48 [95 % CI, 1.10; 2.00]) and death-censored graft loss (HR 1.80 [95 % CI, 1.19, 2.71]) were increased in ECD vs. non-ECD transplants. Increased relative risks were also observed for death and delayed graft function, albeit not statistically significant. Limitations: Although comprehensive in coverage and outcome ascertainment, the available details on covariate data may be limited in large healthcare databases. Conclusions: The ECD classification identifies kidneys at increased risk for graft loss in Canadian patients. The performance of more granular measures of donor risk (e.g., Kidney Donor Risk Index) and its impact on organ allocation/utilization in Canadian patients requires further study.

Background: We lack consensus on the clinical value, frequency, and timing of bone mineral density (BMD) testing in kidney transplant recipients. This study sought to determine practice patterns in BMD testing across kidney transplant centres in Ontario, Canada, and to compare the frequency of testing in kidney transplant recipients to non-transplant reference groups. Methods: Using healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada we conducted a population-based cohort study of adult kidney transplant recipients who received a transplant from 1994-2009. We used logistic regression to determine if there was a statistically significant difference across transplant centres in the decision to perform at least one BMD test after transplantation, adjusting for covariates that may influence a physician's decision to order a BMD test. We used the McNemar's test to compare the number of recipients who had at least one BMD test to non-transplant reference groups (matching on age, sex, and date of cohort entry). Results: In the first 3 years after transplant, 4821 kidney transplant recipients underwent 4802 BMD tests (median 1 test per recipient, range 0 to 6 tests), costing $600,000 (2014 CAD equivalent dollars). Across the six centres, the proportion of recipients receiving at least one BMD test varied widely (ranging from 15.6 to 92.1 %; P < 0.001). Over half (58 %) of the recipients received at least one BMD test post-transplant, a value higher than two non-transplant reference groups (general population with a previous non-vertebral fracture [hip, forearm, proximal humerus], 13.8 %; general population with no previous non-vertebral fracture, 8.5 %; P value