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Kidney Transplantation Improves Survival in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitides With End-Stage Kidney Disease

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) frequently leads to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Although kidney transplantation (KT) is considered the optimal treatment for ESKD, its survival benefit in patients with AAV remains understudied. This study aimed to determine the impact of KT on survival in waitlisted patients with AAV-induced ESKD (AAV-ESKD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with AAV-ESKD registered in the French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (REIN) registry and waitlisted for KT between 2002 and 2022. KT was treated as a time-dependent variable to avoid immortal time bias. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for key demographic and clinical factors. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on vasculitis type, age, sex, and year of ESKD onset. Results: < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses, after excluding recipients of living donors and patients removed from the waitlist supported the robustness of these findings. Within 2 years from ESKD onset, 24% of waitlisted patients were transplanted. Graft failure probability was 22% at 10 years posttransplant. Conclusion: KT is associated with a significant survival benefit in waitlisted patients with AAV-ESKD compared with waiting on dialysis. These findings emphasize the importance of timely transplant evaluation and improved access to KT for this population.

Source: Kidney International Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.02.001

Authors: Benoît Brilland, Jean-François Augusto, Thomas Jouve, Noémie Jourde-Chiche, Cécile Couchoud