Use of kidney function end points in kidney transplant trials: a systematic review

Clinical trials in kidney transplantation are beginning to include markers of kidney function as end points now that traditional outcomes, such as acute rejection, become increasingly rare events. The frequency and type of kidney function end points used are unknown.

Systematic review.

Randomized controlled trials in adult kidney transplant recipients reported in 5 major general medical journals and 5 major subspecialty journals in nephrology and transplantation between January 2003 and November 2008.

Inclusion of at least one kidney function end point at least 1 month posttransplant.

133 (79%) of 169 randomized trials identified used a kidney function end point. Of these, 37 (28%) used one or more measures of kidney function as the primary end point, and 81 (61%), as a secondary end point. For the primary end point, 21 (57%) trials used a creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 18 (49%) used serum creatinine level, and 7 (19%) used measured GFR. Overall, eGFR was an end point in 81 (61%) trials, and measured GFR, in 12 (9%) trials.

This review is limited by the poor quality of the included trials, with many not defining either primary or secondary end points.

Measures of kidney function are used commonly as surrogate end points in kidney transplant trials, with eGFR becoming more frequently used over time. Further data are needed to properly validate these surrogate end points and fully understand their limitations when designing and interpreting randomized trials.