Polyneuropathy in kidney transplant recipients: a cross-sectional study in Groningen, the Netherlands

Objectives To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics associated with polyneuropathy in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Setting SENS study at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, December 2021–May 2023.

Participants KTR, participating in the ongoing TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study, ≥12 months post-transplantation. Main outcome measures Participants underwent a structured neurological assessment including history taking, neurological examination, quantitative sensory testing and nerve conduction studies.

An expert panel classified participants into no/possible, probable/definite large fibre polyneuropathy or small fibre neuropathy. Large-fibre subtypes included axonal or demyelinating, pure sensory, pure motor and sensorimotor.

To assess potential associations with clinical characteristics, logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results We included 160 KTRs with a mean age of 59.8±11.6 years at a median of 6.1 (95% CI 3.9 to 13.1) years post-transplantation, with 16 KTRs (10%) diagnosed with polyneuropathy before study inclusion.

In total, 84 KTRs (53%) were identified with large fibre polyneuropathy and 7 KTRs (4%) with small fibre neuropathy. KTRs with large fibre polyneuropathy presented with either sensor-predominant polyneuropathy (40 KTR (48%)) or sensorimotor polyneuropathy (44 KTR (52%)).