Outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract: a propensity-score-matched analysis with case-control design

Background/aim: We compared long-term outcomes after kidney transplantation (KTx) in patients with and without congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).Materials and methods: KTx recipients (KTRs) with CAKUT in 1980-2016 were identified; their hard copy and electronic medical records were reviewed and compared to a propensity-score-matched control group (non-CAKUT) from the same period. The primary outcomes were graft loss or death with a functioning graft; secondary outcomes included posttransplant urinary tract infections (UTIs) and biopsy-proven rejection (BPR).Results: We identified 169 KTRs with CAKUT and 169 matched controls. Median follow-up was 132 (IQR: 75.0-170.0) months. UTIs were more common in CAKUT patients compared to non-CAKUT group (20.7% vs 10.7%; p = 0.01). Rates of BPR were similar between the two groups. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, 10-year graft survival rates were significantly higher in the CAKUT group than in the non-CAKUT group (87.6% vs 69.2%; p < 0.001), while patient survival rates were similar. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, CAKUT (HR: 0.469; 95% CI: 0.320-0.687; p < 0.001) and PRA positivity before transplantation (HR: 3.756; 95% CI: 1.507-9.364; p = 0.005) predicted graft loss.Conclusions: Graft survival in KTRs with CAKUT appears superior to KTRs without CAKUT. Transplant centers should develop multidisciplinary educational and social working groups to support and encourage CAKUT patients with kidney failure to seek for transplants.

Automated summary

This study compared the long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with and without congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). It was found that patients with CAKUT had a higher risk of urinary tract infections compared to those without CAKUT, but the rates of graft rejection were similar between the two groups. The graft survival rate was higher in patients with CAKUT, suggesting the importance of providing support and encouragement for CAKUT patients with kidney failure to seek transplantation.