BACKGROUND The outcomes of kidney transplantation and immunosuppression in people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are incompletely understood. METHODS We undertook a prospective, nonrandomized trial of kidney transplantation in HIV-infected candidates who had CD4+ T-cell counts of at least 200 per cubic millimeter and undetectable plasma HIV type 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels while being treated with a stable antiretroviral regimen. Post-transplantation management was provided in accordance with study protocols that defined prophylaxis against opportunistic infection, indications for biopsy, and acceptable approaches to immunosuppression, management of rejection, and antiretroviral therapy. RESULTS Between November 2003 and June 2009, a total of 150 patients underwent kidney transplantation; survivors were followed for a median period of 1.7 years. Patient survival rates (±SD) at 1 year and 3 years were 94.6±2.0% and 88.2±3.8%, respectively, and the corresponding mean graft-survival rates were 90.4% and 73.7%. In general, these rates fall somewhere between those reported in the national database for older kidney-transplant recipients (≥65 years) and those reported for all kidney-transplant recipients. A multivariate proportional-hazards analysis showed that the risk of graft loss was increased among patients treated for rejection (hazard ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 6.6; P = 0.02) and those receiving antithymocyte globulin induction therapy (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 5.6; P = 0.03); living-donor transplants were protective (hazard ratio, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.8; P = 0.02). A higher-than-expected rejection rate was observed, with 1-year and 3-year estimates of 31% (95% CI, 24 to 40) and 41% (95% CI, 32 to 52), respectively. HIV infection remained well controlled, with stable CD4+ T-cell counts and few HIV-associated complications. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of carefully selected HIV-infected patients, both patient- and graft-survival rates were high at 1 and 3 years, with no increases in complications associated with HIV infection. The unexpectedly high rejection rates are of serious concern and indicate the need for better immunotherapy.

Poor outcomes have been reported in African Americans and Hispanics compared to Caucasians with lupus nephritis. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to identify independent predictors of outcomes in African Americans and Hispanics with lupus nephritis. In total, 93 African Americans, 100 Hispanics, and 20 Caucasians with a mean age of 28 +/- 13 years and an annual household income of 32.9 +/- 17.3 (in 1000 US dollars) were studied. World Health Organization (WHO) lupus nephritis classes II, III, IV, and V were seen in 9, 13, 52, and 26%, respectively. Important baseline differences were higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) in African Americans compared to Hispanics and Caucasians (107 +/- 19, 102 +/- 15, and 99 +/- 13 mmHg, P < 0.05), and higher serum creatinine (1.66 +/- 1.3, 1.25 +/- 1.0, and 1.31 +/- 1.0 mg/dl, P < 0.025). African Americans had lower hematocrit compared to Hispanics and Caucasians (29 +/- 5, and 31 +/- 6, and 32 +/- 7%, P < 0.05), and lower annual household income (30.8 +/- 14.9, 33.1 +/- 15.9, and 42.2 +/- 29.3 in 1000 US dollars; P < 0.05). Lower prevalence of WHO class IV was seen in Caucasians (30%) compared to Hispanics (57%, P = 0.03) and African Americans (51%, P = 0.09). Development of doubling creatinine or end-stage renal disease was higher in African Americans and Hispanics than in Caucasians (31, 18, and 10%; P < 0.05), as was the development of renal events or death (34, 20, and 10%; P < 0.025). Our results suggest that both biological factors indicating an aggressive disease and low household income are common in African Americans and Hispanics with lupus nephritis, and outcomes in these groups are worse than in Caucasians.

SummaryBackground Elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with CKD. Reducing dietary phosphate intake or absorption may decrease FGF23 levels, but data on the combined effects of dietary phosphate restriction and phosphate binders in CKD are limited.Design, setting, participants, & measurements In this 232 factorial, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, 3-month study, conducted between July 2009 and March 2012, 39 patients with CKD stages 3 or 4 and normal serum phosphate levels were randomly assigned to one of four groups: ad libitum diet plus lanthanum carbonate (LC) placebo (n=10), 900-mg phosphate diet plus LC placebo (n=10), ad libitum diet plus LC (n=11), or 900-mg phosphate diet plus LC (n=8). The dose of LC was 1000 mg three times daily with meals. Dietary restriction was accomplished with outpatient counseling. The primary end point was change in FGF23 levels from baseline.Results Compared with ad libitum diet, the 900-mg phosphate diet did not significantly reduce FGF23 levels (diet 3 time interaction, P=0.05). Compared with placebo, LC alone also did not significantly reduce FGF23 levels (LC 3 time interaction, P=0.21). However, the dual intervention significantly decreased FGF23 levels throughout the study period (diet 3 LC 3 time interaction, P=0.02), resulting in a 35% (95% confidence interval, 8%-62%) reduction by study end. ConclusionThe combination of LC plus counseling for a phosphate-restricted diet decreased FGF23 levels in patients with CKD stages 324 and normal serum phosphate levels.

Background and objectives Little is known regarding whether mortality among ESRD patients with SLE differs between those initiating with peritoneal dialysis (PD) versus hemodialysis (HD). This study compared the mortality risk of ESRD patients with SLE initiating with PD versus HD after matching their baseline sociodemographic and clinical factors.Design, setting, participants, & measurements Of 11,023 ESRD patients with SLE initiating dialysis with PD or HD between 1995 and 2006 with complete records in the US Renal Data System, 1352 pairs were matched on 13 predictors utilizing a predicted probability of group membership into the PD group using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular-related and infection-related mortality. Outcomes were compared between groups with survival statistics. The period of observation ended on December 31, 2009. The median follow-up was 3 years.Results Matched pairs were predominantly women (86%) with a median age of 39 years. Matched pairs had a balance (P$0.05) of all baseline factors. Matched pairs had a similar risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 0.96 [95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 1.13]; mortality, 21.4% [290 to 1352] versus 22.5% [304 to 1352] for PD versus HD) within the first 3 years of observation. Matched pairs also had similar cardiovascular-related mortality (10.5% versus 9.5% for PD versus HD) and infection-related mortality (3% versus 4.4% for PD versus HD).Conclusions In ESRD patients with SLE, the mortality was similar among those initiating with PD versus HD after predictors were matched between groups.

In contrast to hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains an underutilized form of renal replacement therapy in the United States. Although a variety of factors have been deemed responsible, timely insertion of a PD catheter may also be a contributory factor. We conducted a multicenter analysis to examine whether the establishment of a program for PD catheter insertion by nephrologists has a positive impact on the growth in the number of patients using PD. Data for catheter insertion performed by nephrologists were collected from three centers. Any change in the prevalent PD population at each respective center was compared to the number of PD patients during the period having the traditional surgical approach. Nephrologists at the three centers used the peritoneoscopic technique and performed catheter insertion under local anesthesia. In center 1, the PD population remained stable at between 38 and 45 patients (approximately 16% of the total end-stage renal disease [ESRD] population) from 1993 to 2001. Nephrologists initiated a program for PD catheter insertion in 2001. The number of PD patients has increased to 101 (32% of the ESRD population). In center 2, the PD population remained stable at between 70 and 78 patients (approximately 17%) between 1988 and 1990. Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists began in 1991. The number of PD patients has increased to 125 (22%). In center 3, the PD population remained at 20-30 patients (approximately 18%) between 1988 and 1991. Catheter placement by nephrologists was initiated in 1991. The number of PD patients increased to 97 (27%). Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists was suspended in 2001. The number of PD patients has gradually declined to 25 (6%). This study suggests that catheter insertion by the nephrologist can have a positive impact on the utilization of PD.