End-stage renal disease due to lupus nephritis among children in the US, 1995-2006

Linda T Hiraki1, Bing Lu, Steven R Alexander

  • 1Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. lhiraki@hsph.harvard.edu

Insights

Predictors like age, race, insurance, and region significantly impact kidney transplant wait-listing and survival for children with lupus nephritis-related end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Outcomes vary widely based on these demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Transplantation Immunology
  • Renal Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • Lupus nephritis is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children.
  • Outcomes for pediatric ESRD patients, including kidney transplantation and mortality, can be influenced by various factors.
  • Understanding predictors is crucial for equitable access to transplantation and improved survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors of wait-listing for kidney transplantation.
  • To identify predictors of receiving a kidney transplant.
  • To identify predictors of mortality in children with lupus nephritis-associated ESRD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the US Renal Data System (1995-2006) to identify children (5-18 years) with incident lupus nephritis-associated ESRD.
  • Investigated demographic, clinical characteristics, causes of death, and predictors of wait-listing, transplantation, and mortality within 5 years of ESRD onset.
  • Employed Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the data.

Main Results:

  • Of 583 children, 49% were wait-listed, 33% received transplants, and 22% died within 5 years.
  • Cardiopulmonary issues (31%) and infections (16%) were primary causes of death.
  • Significant disparities observed: African American and Hispanic children, those with Medicaid, and older children had lower transplant rates. African American children faced nearly double the mortality risk compared to white children. Geographic region also influenced wait-listing and transplant rates.

Conclusions:

  • Age, race, ethnicity, insurance type, and geographic region are significant predictors of kidney transplantation wait-listing, receipt, and mortality in US children with lupus nephritis-associated ESRD.
  • These factors contribute to substantial variations in outcomes, highlighting potential inequities in the healthcare system.
  • Further research and targeted interventions are needed to address these disparities and improve outcomes for all children with ESRD.
Abstract

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