Transplantation with pancreas after living donor kidney vs. living donor kidney alone in type 1 diabetes mellitus recipients*

Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) in type 1 diabetic recipients (T1DM) may be followed by a pancreas after living donor kidney (PALK). The impact of the PALK is largely unknown. Adult T1DM living donor kidney recipients (1997-2007) listed for pancreas transplantation were divided into those who subsequently received pancreas transplantation and those who did not (living donor kidney transplant alone [LDKA]). Outcomes were compared. A sub-analysis was performed in recipients with at least one yr of kidney graft survival and limiting PALK to those who underwent pancreas transplantation in the first year. Of 4554 recipients, 23% received PALK. PALK had more favorable baseline characteristics. At the end of eight yr, we found significantly superior patient (85% vs. 75%) and kidney graft survival (75% vs. 62%) in PALK group. The adjusted hazard ratios of PALK (LDKA as reference) were 0.65 (95%CI: 0.52-0.81) for death and 0.63 (0.54-0.76) for renal graft loss. In sub-group analysis, there was a trend toward decreased death in PALK (HR = 0.78: 0.57-1.07). In conclusion, only 23% of those wait-listed received a pancreas with patient and kidney survival superior to LDKA. Pancreas transplant in the first year after kidney transplant was associated with a trend toward better long-term patient survival.