Outcome and quality of life of patients with augmented bladder or urinary diversion after kidney transplantation

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess results and quality of life after kidney transplant in adult patients with previously bladder augmentation or urinary diversion due to significant lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study examines the outcome of 19 renal allografts transplanted in patients with augmented bladder or urinary diversion over a ten years period; moreover we submitted SF36 questionnaire to evaluate quality of life of these patients and compared the results with the general population.
Result: Between January 1, 2005 and 31 December 2015 we performed 19/1093 renal transplantations in patients with abnormal lower urinary tract previously treated with bladder augmentation or bladder recycling. Current post-transplant follow-up was 47 months (range 18-188). No patient developed any episode of acute or chronic rejection. Mean serum creatinine after one year from transplant was 102 umol/L. Overall survival is 94.8% at the end of follow-up and graft survival is 89.6%. No significant differences emerged between patients undergoing transplant with lower urinary tract dysfunction and patients without, regarding to recurrent urinary tract infection. There was not statistically significant difference for vitality (p = 0.8088) and mental health (p = 0.8668).
Conclusions: Presence of a previously augmented bladder or other lower urinary tract dysfunction treated in kidney transplant patients doesn’t worsen the final outcome. Mental health and the vitality of these patients are similar to the general population.