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SPK Transplant T1DM — ESENeph MCQ

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ModerateTransplantationSPK Transplant T1DMESENeph

A 30-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes and ESKD is listed for simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant. What is the main advantage of SPK over kidney transplant alone in T1DM?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — SPK provides insulin independence and halts diabetic complications in the transplanted kidney; superior long-term graft survival compared to kidney alone from deceased donor

SPK transplantation is the gold standard for T1DM patients with ESKD. It provides insulin independence (functioning pancreas graft) and protects the kidney graft from recurrent diabetic nephropathy. SPK has superior long-term kidney graft survival compared to deceased donor kidney alone (the pancreas graft prevents ongoing diabetic injury). The surgical complexity and pancreas-specific complications (pancreatitis, thrombosis) are trade-offs, but overall outcomes strongly favour SPK for appropriate candidates.

Reference: NICE NG107 – RRT; KDIGO 2020 – Transplant Candidate Evaluation