Prevalence and Predictors of Sensory Polyneuropathic Signs and Symptoms in Renal Transplant Recipients

S. Nolte¹, J. Hofman¹, A. Gomes-Neto¹, B. de Greef², J. Elting¹, M. Eisenga¹, M. van Londen¹, S. Bakker¹, I. Nolte¹, C. Faber², J. Sanders¹, D. Touw¹, I. Lesman-Leegte¹, S. Berger¹, G. Drost¹

¹University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, ²Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: A-310

Keywords: Kidney transplantation, N/A, Neurotoxicity, Outcome

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session A: Biomarkers, Immune Assessment and Clinical Outcomes

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020

Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm

Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: Sensory polyneuropathy is a common finding in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Patients with end stage renal disease are at a high risk to develop uremic or diabetic polyneuropathy. Renal transplantation frequently fails to improve polyneuropathic signs and symptoms post-transplantation. Currently, little is known about the exact prevalence of post-transplantation sensory polyneuropathy. Therefore, our aim is to determine prevalence and identify possible predictors of sensory polyneuropathy in RTR.

*Methods: We included RTR and healthy controls. The primary outcome was the result of the adapted modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (amTCNS), a scoring tool designed to quantify neurological complaints and to rate symptoms of sensory polyneuropathy. A chi-square test was used to compare prevalence of sensory polyneuropathy between RTR and healthy controls. Cumulative multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the independent determinants of sensory polyneuropathy. Information on relevant clinical parameters including age, sex, weight, eGFR, HbA1c, vitamin B-12, advanced glycation end product levels and information on time since transplantation was collected from all subjects and included in the multivariable model.

*Results: A total of 209 RTR (65.1% males) with a mean age of 54.9±13.4 years, and 122 healthy subjects (46.7% males) with a mean age of 55.9±11.2 years were included. Signs and symptoms of sensory polyneuropathy were present in 48 (23.0%) RTR and 6 (4.9%) healthy subjects (P<0.001). Age (OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01-1.07, P=0.02), HbA1c (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.03-2.85, P=0.04) and time since transplantation (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.02-1.13, P=0.003) were independently associated with sensory polyneuropathy in RTR.

*Conclusions: Polyneuropathic signs and symptoms were four times more frequent in RTR than in healthy controls. We have shown that besides age and HbA1c, time since transplantation is associated with sensory polyneuropathy in RTR.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Nolte S, Hofman J, Gomes-Neto A, Greef Bde, Elting J, Eisenga M, Londen Mvan, Bakker S, Nolte I, Faber C, Sanders J, Touw D, Lesman-Leegte I, Berger S, Drost G. Prevalence and Predictors of Sensory Polyneuropathic Signs and Symptoms in Renal Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/prevalence-and-predictors-of-sensory-polyneuropathic-signs-and-symptoms-in-renal-transplant-recipients/. Accessed May 11, 2025.

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