Clinical Research Directory

Modifiable Factors Affecting Racial Disparities in Kidney Donation

While many people offer to be evaluated at transplant centers as potential living donors to donate one kidney to someone they know, few ultimately donate. Racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to become living donors. This study examines potentially modifiable factors affecting living donation in a large cohort of potential living donors from different transplant centers who are White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. Investigators are examining ways to intervene with potential living donors to help overcome racial disparities and increase the number of people who ultimately donate.

MedDiet in Kidney Transplant Recipients

In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of diet and lifestyle factors in influencing graft function and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT). Among the dietary patterns investigated, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is among most studied diets in KT recipients. Data from observational studies show that greater adherence to the MedDiet is beneficial in kidney transplant recipients and is associated with improved lipid profile, lower oxidative stress, less frequent new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation, metabolic syndrome, better kidney function, and mortality. Unfortunately, adherence to MedDiet in kidney transplant recipients is low, and ranges between 25 % and 44.7%. Data from a Dutch cross-sectional study showed that higher levels of food literacy are associated with better adherence to MedDiet. Nevertheless, evidence from randomized dietary interventions aimed at improving MedDiet adherence in this population remains limited. Therefore, the aim of our pilot randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether a six-week MedDiet intervention could improve adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and to explore the effects of MedDiet on body composition and physical function. We conducted an interventional, randomized study at the Kidney Transplantation Centre, Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The intervention duration was six weeks and was performed by a Master's student in nutrition. We included kidney transplant recipients undergoing regular follow-up at the Kidney Transplantation Centre. Patients were invited to participate verbally via telephone contact one week prior to their scheduled physician appointment. Participation was voluntary and confirmed by a signed informed consent. The following exclusion criteria were applied: body mass index (BMI) \> 25 kg/m², age \> 45 years, female sex, serum creatinine \> 250 µmol/L, a MEDAS score ≥ 10 points, and systolic blood pressure \> 160 mmHg. Patients were randomized to the intervention and control group. The primary study outcome was the MEDAS score. Secondary outcomes were lean tissue index (LTI; kg/m²), fat tissue index (FTI; kg/m²), handgrip strength (kg), and chair-stand performance (number of repetitions).

Outcomes of a Pre-operative Exercise Programme for Live Donor and Recipient Kidney Transplant Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a pre-operative outpatient exercise programme, monitored by a smart wearable device is acceptable to live kidney donor and recipient transplant patients. It will also look at the impact of prehabilitation on post operative outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is it feasible for renal transplant patients and live kidney donors to participate in a prehabilitation programme in combination with a piece of wearable technology? Are transplant outcomes improved by prehabilitation regimens delivered by video instruction? Are there discernible perioperative digital signatures provided by the wearable that link to surgical outcomes? Is the quality of perioperative sleep linked to surgical outcomes? Participants will: Wear a wrist or ring worn wearable device for a total of 14 weeks (2 week baseline, 6 week pre op and 6 week post op) Engage in a 6 week pre operative exercise programme at home/gym Keep a diary and answer surveys on their experience of the exercise regimen and wearable device