Introduction: While a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant (SPK) is now considered standard of care for uremic T1 DM patients, it is not for T2DM (despite similar medical issues). The purpose of this IPTR analysis was to study current SPK outcome in T2DM.
Methods: Between 1/1995 and 12/2015, 1,514 primary deceased donor pancreas transplants in patients with T2DM were reported to IPTR/UNOS. The majority of transplants were SPK (88%) and PAK (9%); Pancreas transplants alone accounted for 3%. This study focuses on SPK outcome. Comprehensive uni- and multivariate statistical analyses for outcome and risk assessment were performed using recipient, donor and technical factors.
Results: In contrast to T1DM, the number of primary SPK in T2DM increased over time. Table 1 shows the distribution by era for the most important characteristics and risk factors.

Era1995-012002-082009-15pN298482542<0.0001Male Recipient6670740.06Age44(8)48(8)46(8)<0.0001% AfricanAmerican142332<0.0001Duration of T2DM22(7)21(8)21(8)0.43% BMI > 28m/kg21931320.0003% on Dialysis8384890.03

A significant improvement over time was noted for SPK patient survival (p<0.0001): at 3-years, from 96.2% (first era) to 98.6% (last era). Risk factors for patient survival were a failed pancreas and/or kidney graft, age over 45 years, and being African American.
Pancreas [Figure 1] and kidney graft function also improved significantly over time (p<0.0001). The rate of early technical failures decreased from 8.4% to 5.7% (p>0.05). The main reason for pancreas as well as kidney graft failure was dying with a functioning graft (> 40% of all causes for graft failure). Recurrence of T2DM was rarely noted (<1% of failures) and only in patients with massive posttransplant weight gain. Donor age > 30 years of age was the most influential risk factor for technical complications and pancreas graft failure. Of note, overweight (but not obesity) was also a risk factor for technical complications. Maintenance immunosuppression with Tacrolimus in combination with MMF improved graft function.
Conclusion: Patient and graft outcomes after SPK in T2DM have significantly improved over time. As in T1DM, SPK should also be considered standard of care for insulin-dependent, uremic T2 diabetics with the caveat that weight gain has to be avoided after transplant.