Dataset Information

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Early Hospital Readmission in Canadian Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Population-Based Multi-Center Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early hospital readmissions (EHRs) occur commonly in kidney transplant recipients. Conflicting evidence exists regarding risk factors and outcomes of EHRs.

Objective

To determine risk factors and outcomes associated with EHRs (ie, hospitalization within 30 days of discharge from transplant hospitalization) in kidney transplant recipients.

Design

Population-based cohort study using linked, administrative health care databases.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Patients

We included 5437 kidney transplant recipients from 2002 to 2015.

Measurements

Risk factors and outcomes associated with EHRs. We assessed donor, recipient, and transplant risk factors. We also assessed the following outcomes: total graft failure, death-censored graft failure, death with a functioning graft, mortality, and late hospital readmission.

Methods

We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association of each risk factor and the odds of EHR. To examine the relationship between EHR status (yes vs no [reference]) and the outcomes associated with EHR (eg, total graft failure), we used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

In all, 1128 kidney transplant recipients (20.7%) experienced an EHR. We found the following risk factors were associated with an increased risk of EHR: older recipient age, lower income quintile, several comorbidities, longer hospitalization for initial kidney transplant, and older donor age. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, compared to recipients without an EHR, recipients with an EHR had an increased risk of total graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.65), death-censored graft failure (aHR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.94), death with graft function (aHR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.59), mortality (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.63), and late hospital readmission in the first 0.5 years of follow-up (eg, 0 to <0.25 years: aHR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.85, 2.40).

Limitations

We were not able to identify which readmissions could have been preventable and there is a potential for residual confounding.

Conclusions

Results can be used to identify kidney transplant recipients at risk of EHR and emphasize the need for interventions to reduce the risk of EHRs.

Trial registration

This is not applicable as this is a population-based cohort study and not a clinical trial.

SUBMITTER: Naylor KL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8641113 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background:Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI; cyclosporine, tacrolimus) are critical for kidney transplant immunosuppression, but have multiple potential drug interactions, such as with macrolide antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin) are often used to treat atypical infections. Clarithromycin and erythromycin inhibit CNI metabolism and increase the risk of CNI nephrotoxicity, while azithromycin does not. Objective:To determine the frequency of CNI-macrolide co-prescriptions, the proportion who receive post-prescription monitoring, and the risk of adverse drug events in kidney transplant recipients. Design:Retrospective cohort study. Setting:We used linked health care databases in Alberta, Canada. Patients:We included 293 adult kidney transplant recipients from 2008-2015 who were co-prescribed a CNI and macrolide. Measurements:The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause hospitalization, acute kidney injury (creatinine increase ?0.3 mg/dL or 1.5 times baseline), or death within 30 days of the macrolide prescription. Methods:We identified CNI-macrolide co-prescriptions and compared outcomes in those who received clarithromycin/erythromycin versus azithromycin. We used a linear mixed-effects model to examine the mean change in serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results:Of the 293 recipients who were co-prescribed a CNI and a macrolide, 38% (n = 112) were prescribed clarithromycin/erythromycin while 62% (n = 181) were prescribed azithromycin. Compared with azithromycin users, clarithromycin/erythromycin users were less likely to have outpatient serum creatinine monitoring post-prescription (56% vs 69%, P = .03). There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the 2 groups (17% vs 11%, P = .11); however, the risk of all-cause hospitalization was higher in the clarithromycin/erythromycin group (10% vs 3%, P = .02). The mean decrement in eGFR was significantly greater in the clarithromycin/erythromycin versus azithromycin group (-5.4 vs -1.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < .05). Limitations:We did not have CNI levels to correlate with the timing of CNI-macrolide co-prescriptions. We also did not have information regarding the indications for macrolide prescriptions. Conclusion:Clarithromycin and erythromycin were frequently co-prescribed in kidney transplant recipients on CNIs despite known drug interactions. Clarithromycin/erythromycin use was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization compared with azithromycin users. Safer prescribing practices in kidney transplant recipients are warranted.