Simultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Versus Kidney Transplant Alone: Real-World Outcomes in a Propensity-Matched Global Cohort

TL;DR

A global study compares outcomes of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants versus kidney transplants alone in diabetic patients, finding similar survival but better metabolic control with combined transplants.

Contribution

This study provides real-world global evidence on the comparative effectiveness of SPKT versus KTA using a large propensity-matched cohort.

Findings

SPKT recipients had similar long-term survival and graft outcomes compared to KTA recipients after propensity matching.

SPKT recipients maintained significantly lower HbA1c levels and greater insulin independence over time.

Early complications like rejection and infections were higher in SPKT recipients, but long-term survival benefits were not detected.

Abstract

The true comparative effectiveness of simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation (SPKT) versus kidney transplantation alone (KTA) in patients with diabetes and end-stage renal disease remains incompletely defined. Using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network (2010–2024), we identified 3,679 SPKT and 27,062 KTA recipients aged 18–59 years. In unmatched comparisons, SPKT recipients showed lower mortality, fewer cardiovascular events, and improved kidney graft survival relative to KTA recipients, but also higher early rejection, infection, and readmission rates. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the cohorts were well balanced across all measured covariates, and long-term estimates for survival (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.90–1.10), kidney graft failure (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94–1.04), and cardiovascular events (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94–1.05) no longer differed over 10 years. In contrast, SPKT recipients maintained significantly lower HbA1c levels throughout follow-up (mean 6.2% vs. 6.6% at 5 years; p < 0.001), reflecting sustained physiologic glycaemic control and a high probability of insulin independence. Sensitivity analyses restricted to type 1 diabetes and non-obese recipients yielded consistent results. After accounting for measured differences between recipients, we did not detect a long-term survival advantage of SPKT over KTA, whereas durable metabolic benefits persisted. Because key donor and immunologic characteristics were not available, a modest intrinsic survival benefit cannot be excluded. These findings highlight the major role of patient selection and support individualised use of SPKT for metabolic indications and quality-of-life improvement rather than survival gain alone.

Cohort comparison graphic for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) versus kidney transplant alone (KTA) with 27,062 KTA and 3,679 SPKT patients. Propensity matching results in two equal cohorts of 3,679. Graphs show all-cause mortality and HbA1c outcomes, with SPKT providing a metabolic benefit but higher early complications. Survival, graft, and cardiovascular outcomes are comparable. SPKT should be individualized for metabolic and quality-of-life improvements. Published by Catarinella et al. in Transpl. Int. 2025. DOI is provided at the bottom.

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