Response to Commentary on “Reassessing Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Vs. Kidney Transplant Alone: A Propensity Weighted Analysis of Survival and Morbidity”

We agree that differences between SPKT and deceased donor kidney transplant recipients present challenges for direct comparison. This is the reason why we used overlap propensity weighting, a method designed to reduce bias in scenarios with limited overlap. Although residual confounding cannot be fully eliminated in observational studies, this approach helps reduce the influence of donor and recipient characteristics that historically favor SPKT in unadjusted analyses. Many prior studies showing superior survival with SPKT included younger donors, lower Kidney Donor Profile Index kidneys, shorter dialysis times, and overall healthier baseline characteristics in the SPKT cohort. These differences can amplify survival signals, making it difficult to distinguish the effects of pancreas transplantation from other influencing factors.Our findings reflect contemporary practice, where advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression, perioperative monitoring, and postoperative care have improved kidneyonly transplant outcomes, narrowing historical survival differences. In addition, the landscape of diabetes care has evolved with the wider use of therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, which offer metabolic, cardiovascular, and kidney-protective benefits and are increasingly accessible, particularly among patients with Type 2 diabetes. 1,2 These advances support individualized SPKT selection, since metabolic improvement may be achievable in some recipients through medical therapy, while transplantation remains most impactful for those with clear insulin deficiency and appropriate surgical risk.Our subgroup findings provide meaningful context. Among recipients with Type 1 diabetes and BMI below 30, which aligns closely with physiological rationale and traditional listing criteria, SPKT was associated with superior survival. Outside this phenotype, survival was similar, while early morbidity remained higher for SPKT. These findings support careful, individualized selection rather than broad application of SPKT to all diabetic transplant candidates.We share the authors' longstanding commitment to ensuring that SPKT remains available to those most likely to benefit. Our intent is not to diminish its role but to provide objective empirical evidence that informs nuanced counseling and allocation practices. Incorporating both metabolic strengths and elevated early clinical risks into shared decision-making encourages

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Transplant International
Published
2025-12-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ti.2025.16011
Primary Topic
Renal Transplantation Outcomes and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Response to Commentary on “Reassessing Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Vs. Kidney Transplant Alone: A Propensity Weighted Analysis of Survival and Morbidity”

Susana Arrigain, Jesse D. Schold, Pooja Budhiraja, Rocio Lopez
Transplant International
Renal Transplantation Outcomes and Treatments
article

Response to Commentary on “Reassessing Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Vs. Kidney Transplant Alone: A Propensity Weighted Analysis of Survival and Morbidity”

Susana Arrigain, Jesse D. Schold, Pooja Budhiraja, Rocio Lopez
article en

Abstract

We agree that differences between SPKT and deceased donor kidney transplant recipients present challenges for direct comparison. This is the reason why we used overlap propensity weighting, a method designed to reduce bias in scenarios with limited overlap. Although residual confounding cannot be fully eliminated in observational studies, this approach helps reduce the influence of donor and recipient characteristics that historically favor SPKT in unadjusted analyses. Many prior studies showing superior survival with SPKT included younger donors, lower Kidney Donor Profile Index kidneys, shorter dialysis times, and overall healthier baseline characteristics in the SPKT cohort. These differences can amplify survival signals, making it difficult to distinguish the effects of pancreas transplantation from other influencing factors.Our findings reflect contemporary practice, where advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression, perioperative monitoring, and postoperative care have improved kidneyonly transplant outcomes, narrowing historical survival differences. In addition, the landscape of diabetes care has evolved with the wider use of therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, which offer metabolic, cardiovascular, and kidney-protective benefits and are increasingly accessible, particularly among patients with Type 2 diabetes. 1,2 These advances support individualized SPKT selection, since metabolic improvement may be achievable in some recipients through medical therapy, while transplantation remains most impactful for those with clear insulin deficiency and appropriate surgical risk.Our subgroup findings provide meaningful context. Among recipients with Type 1 diabetes and BMI below 30, which aligns closely with physiological rationale and traditional listing criteria, SPKT was associated with superior survival. Outside this phenotype, survival was similar, while early morbidity remained higher for SPKT. These findings support careful, individualized selection rather than broad application of SPKT to all diabetic transplant candidates.We share the authors' longstanding commitment to ensuring that SPKT remains available to those most likely to benefit. Our intent is not to diminish its role but to provide objective empirical evidence that informs nuanced counseling and allocation practices. Incorporating both metabolic strengths and elevated early clinical risks into shared decision-making encourages

Transplant InternationalVol. 38
Mayo Clinic Hospital (US), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Renal Transplantation Outcomes and Treatments
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.