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Patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease show higher systemic oxidative stress and exhale more hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) than healthy controls. Kidney transplantation reduces oxidative stress and H2O2 production by blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) may be predisposed to an impairment of lung diffusing capacity due to chronic inflammation. Lung function and H2O2 concentration in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were compared in 20 KTRs with stable allograft function to 20 healthy matched controls. Serum interleukin eight (IL-8) and C-reactive protein (CRP), blood cell counts, and spirometry parameters did not differ between groups. However, KTRs showed lower total lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, corrected for hemoglobin concentration (TLCOc), in comparison to healthy controls (92.1 ± 11.5% vs. 102.3 ± 11.9% of predicted, p = 0.009), but similar EBC H2O2 concentration (1.63 ± 0.52 vs. 1.77 ± 0.50 µmol/L, p = 0.30). The modality of pre-transplant renal replacement therapy had no effect on TLCOc and EBC H2O2. TLCOc did not correlate with time after transplantation. In this study, TLCOc was less reduced in KTRs in comparison to previous reports. We suggest this fact and the non-elevated H2O2 exhalation exhibited by KTRs, may result perhaps from the evolution of the immunosuppressive therapy.

Background and Objectives: Burnout is an occupation-related syndrome comprising emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced feelings of work-related personal accomplishments. There are reports on burnout among adult nephrologists and general pediatricians, but little is known about burnout among pediatric nephrologists. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and severity of burnout syndrome among Polish pediatric nephrologists. Materials and Methods: A 25-item study survey consisting of abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory and additional self-created questions about work-related factors was completed by 97 physicians affiliated with the Polish Society of Pediatric Nephrology. Women comprised 75.3%, with median time of professional experience in the study group was 15 years. Results: A high level of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced feeling of personal accomplishments were observed in 39.2%, 38.1%, and 21.6% of the participants, respectively. At least a medium level of burnout in all three dimensions were observed in 26.8% of the participants and 8.2% of them presented high three-dimensional burnout. About 41.2% of the participants stated that they would like to take part in burnout prevention and support programs. According to the study participants, excessive bureaucracy in healthcare systems, rush at work, and overtime work were the main job-related problems that could influence burnout intensity. Conclusions: Burnout is an important factor in the professional landscape of pediatric nephrology. Actions aimed at reducing the risk of occupational burnout among pediatric nephrologists should be applied, both at the personal and institutional levels.