Impact of Functional Status on Outcomes of Simultaneous Pancreas-kidney Transplantation: Risks and Opportunities for Patient Benefit

BACKGROUND. The impact of functional status on survival among simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) candidates and recipients is not well described. METHODS. We examined national Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) data for patients listed for SPKT in the United States (2006–2019). Functional status was categorized by center-reported Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS). We used Cox regression to quantify associations of KPS at listing and transplant with subsequent patient survival, adjusted for baseline patient and transplant factors (adjusted hazard ratio, (95% LCL)aHR(95%UCL)). We also explored time-dependent associations of SPKT with survival risk after listing compared with continued waiting in each functional status group. RESULTS. KPS distributions among candidates (N = 16 822) and recipients (N = 10 316), respectively, were normal (KPS 80–100), 62.0% and 57.8%; capable of self-care (KPS 70), 23.5% and 24.7%; requires assistance (KPS 50–60), 12.4% and 14.2%; and disabled (KPS 10–40), 2.1% and 3.3%. There was a graded increase in mortality after listing and after transplant with lower functional levels. Compared with normal functioning, mortality after SPKT rose progressively for patients capable of self-care (aHR, (1.00)1.18(1.41)), requiring assistance (aHR, (1.06)1.31(1.60)), and disabled (aHR, (1.10)1.55(2.19)). In time-dependent regression, compared with waiting, SPKT was associated with 2-fold mortality risk within 30 days of transplant. However, beyond 30 days, SPKT was associated with reduced mortality, from 52% for disabled patients (aHR, (0.26)0.48(0.88)) to 70% for patients with normal functioning (aHR, (0.26)0.30(0.34)). CONCLUSIONS. While lower functional status is associated with increased mortality risk among SPKT candidates and recipients, SPKT can provide long-term survival benefit across functional status levels in those selected for transplant.