BackgroundIt has been suggested that the research priorities of those funding and performing research in transplantation may differ from those of end service users such as patients, carers and healthcare professionals involved in day-to-day care. The Kidney Transplant Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) was established with the aim of involving all stakeholders in prioritising future research in the field.MethodsThe PSP methodology is as outlined by the James Lind Alliance. An initial survey collected unanswered research questions from patients, carers and clinicians. Duplicate and out-of-scope topics were excluded and the existing literature searched to identify topics answered by current evidence. An interim prioritisation survey asked patients and professionals to score the importance of the remaining questions to create a ranked long-list. These were considered at a final consensus workshop using a modified nominal group technique to agree a final top ten.ResultsThe initial survey identified 497 questions from 183 respondents, covering all aspects of transplantation from assessment through to long-term follow-up. These were grouped into 90 unanswered “indicative” questions. The interim prioritisation survey received 256 responses (34.8% patients/carers, 10.9% donors and 54.3% professionals), resulting in a ranked list of 25 questions that were considered during the final workshop. Participants agreed a top ten priorities for future research that included optimisation of immunosuppression (improved monitoring, choice of regimen, personalisation), prevention of sensitisation and transplanting the sensitised patient, management of antibody-mediated rejection, long-term risks to live donors, methods of organ preservation, induction of tolerance and bioengineering of organs. There was evidence that patient and carer involvement had a significant impact on shaping the final priorities.ConclusionsThe final list of priorities relates to all stages of the transplant process, including access to transplantation, living donation, organ preservation, post-transplant care and management of the failing transplant. This list of priorities will provide an invaluable resource for researchers and funders to direct future activity.

Background. The impaired physical fitness of end-stage liver disease patients often persists after liver transplantation (LT) and compromises posttransplant recovery. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated evidence supporting the potential of exercise training to improve physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after LT. Methods. Bibliographic searches identified all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing aerobic and strength training versus usual care after LT. Risk of bias was assessed, and study outcomes measuring physical fitness and HRQOL were extracted. Meta-analysis was performed if at least 3 studies reported on an outcome. Results. Eight RCTs (n = 334) were identified.Methodological study quality varied and was poorly reported. Meta-analyses showed a trend for favorable effects of exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake or 6-min walking distance; 6 studies, n = 275; standardized mean difference: 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.01 to 0.48) and of strength training either or not combined with aerobic training on muscular fitness (dynamometry-assessed muscle strength or 30-s sit-to-stand test; 3 studies, n = 114; standardized mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI, −0.03 to 0.72). A favorable effect was found for exercise on the Short-Form Health Survey-36 HRQOL physical function subcomponent (3 studies, n = 194; mean difference: 9.1, 95% CI,. No exerciserelated adverse events were observed. Conclusions. RCTs indicate that exercise training in LT recipients is safe, improves physical function aspects of HRQOL, and may benefit cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. The strength of evidence is, however, limited by the low number of patients and study quality. More adequately powered, high-quality RCTs are warranted.

The quality of international CPGs in Ktx was variable, and most CPGs lacked key aspects of methodological robustness and transparency. Improvements in methodology, patient involvement, and strategies for implementation are required.

KO, RR, SK, JO, PM and LP were involved in the concept and design of the systematic review. KO and LP designed the search strategy. KO and RR screened search results for relevant full-texts and these were checked by LP. KO and RR performed the data extraction.

Background Recommendations within guidelines are developed by synthesising the best available evidence; when limited evidence is identified recommendations are generally based on informal consensus. However, there are potential biases in group decision making, and formal consensus methods may help reduce these. Methods We conducted a case study using formal consensus, to develop one set of recommendations within the Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition guideline being produced for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Statements were generated through identification of published guidelines on several topics relating to neonatal parenteral nutrition. Ten high quality guidelines were included, and 28 statements were generated; these statements were rated by the committee via two rounds of voting. The statements which resulted in agreement were then used to develop the recommendations. Results The approach was systematic and provided transparency. Additionally, a number of lessons were learnt; including the value of selecting the appropriate topic, giving adequate time to the process, and ensuring methodologies are understood by the committee for their value and relevance. Conclusion Formal consensus is a valuable option for use within guideline development when specific criteria are met. The approach provides transparent methodology, ensuring clarity on how recommendations are developed.