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It is common for patients with CKD to experience signs and symptoms of abnormal bowel health. There is a disconnect between patient perceptions and clinical definitions of normal or abnormal bowel health. Clinical care team members must carefully obtain and clarify patient-reported symptoms related to bowel function in order to help ensure recommendations and use of appropriate treatments.

Background Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can present a significant burden to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but the reported prevalence is inconsistent. Objective To examine the GI burden and dietary intake in patients with CKD with or without dialysis. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study of 216 adults, recruited from outpatient and dialysis clinics, with CKD stage 4 or 5 not receiving dialysis (CKD‐ND), or receiving haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Three questionnaires were administered: the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS); a modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and a short Food Frequency Questionnaire. Outcomes were stool frequency and consistency, GI symptoms and dietary intake. Results Data were collected from 216 patients (mean age, 63 years [95% CI: 61, 65]; 63% males; CKD‐ND: n = 134; HD: n = 67; PD: n = 15). Mean stool frequency for all groups was one bowel action per day (p = .45) and consistency was normal (BSFS type 4, p = .95). Overall GI symptom burden was low but several symptoms occurred at least “most of the time” including “tiredness/lethargy” (54% of participants), “reduced appetite” (29%), “early satiety” (25%) and “change in taste” (15%). Low intakes of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole‐grains and legumes were found. No associations were observed between diet and GI symptoms. Conclusion The overall GI symptom burden was low, but >15% of participants reported several symptoms as occurring most to all of the time. Low intakes of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole‐grains and legumes were observed in all CKD patients.

Introduction: 4 to 8% of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) will develop end-stage kidney failure (ESKF) over 20-30 years from diagnosis. Pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) remains the definitive treatment for type 1 DM patients with ESKF, and is the most common form of solid-organ pancreas transplantation (SOPT) worldwide. SOPT rates have increased over the past decade in most major transplant centres worldwide alongside an increased number of patients on the waiting list. We recently reviewed current Australian pancreas transplant clinical guidelines to ensure ongoing utilitarian and equitable use of donor organs concluding that the evidence base surrounding donor and recipient eligibility criteria needs updating. Differences, for example exist in allocation cutoffs for donor age and/or body mass index (BMI) in national allocation policies across different jurisdictions. We therefore aimed to examine the variation in donor and recipient factors included in allocation protocols worldwide to establish a platform to generate further research. Methods: We developed a survey using Microsoft Excel and Qualtrics covering donor and recipient variables and cutoffs for eligibility for donor pancreas acceptance at time of offer, and for recipient entry into the SOPT waiting list. Questions included recipient/donor age, BMI, specific recipient endocrinology, nephrology, cardiac or vascular criteria for SPK transplantation, social and external factors as well as any criteria governing use of marginal donor pancreata. Surveys were emailed to 97 solid organ pancreas transplant units in 22 countries worldwide. An email reminder was sent approximately one month later if no results were received before then. Results were grouped by country with individual unit results being de-identified. Results: 13 units have responded thus far comprising Australia and New Zealand (2), Canada (1), Eurotransplant (4), Israel (1), Italy (1) and the United Kingdom (4). The greatest variation was in recipient age eligibility for transplant workup (median of 55 years (50-65)) and donor age eligibility for organ acceptance (median of 55 years (45-60)). These differ from Australian guidelines which accept recipients aged below 50 and donors aged below 45. Less variation was seen in recipient and donor BMI eligibility (median 32 (30-35) and median 32 (30-35) respectively). Of the responding units, only Italy had similar recipient age criteria to Australia. Germany and Canada had similar donor age criteria to Australia with the majority having higher recipient and donor age cutoffs. Variation was also seen in social factors with only half of responding units stating alcohol excess and smoking comprised an absolute contraindication to being waitlisted. Median accepted cold ischaemic time was 12 hours (10-18). Only units in the United Kingdom provided an external source for their unit protocol (national guidelines). Conclusions: This survey confirms the considerable variation between SOPT units worldwide with regards to donor/recipient eligib...

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