Data and biobank Transplantlines conducts research into both the short- and long-term success following organ transplantation, as well as all the factors, participant characteristics, and treatments associated with it. With over 4700 Transplantlines participants, the cohort has gathered an impressive amount of data and biological material, which has already facilitated a lot of research.
Both the Transplantlines team and the participants expressed the desire to share more information about the research conducted with the collected data. Transplantlines researchers Svea Nolte, Anna Posthumus and Sietske Doorenbos took the lead and organised the first symposium for patients.
The symposium took place at the UMCG on Saturday, 16th November. More than 40 researchers played a role in the programme. In the morning, patients were introduced, during a plenary session, to some of the research that has been conducted so far, including topics on the consumption of specific dietary fatty acids and mortality, vitamin C in kidney patients and creatine metabolism in kidney patients and donors.
Patients also gained a clear overview of the amount and types of participants that have been included, data and biomaterials that have been gathered over the years, as well as future perspectives for Transplantlines such as personalized questionnaires, and the focus on fatigue and sleep quality in transplant patients.
In addition, research on the topics quality of life after transplantation, the SENS study on polyneuropathy after transplantation and side effects of medication were discussed.
During the lunch break, patients had the opportunity to visit information stands from various patient initiatives and associations.
In the afternoon, patients could attend workshops on topics such as exercise after transplantation, skin cancer post-transplant, pregnancy after transplantation, as well as nutrition post-transplant and what happens when a donor has passed away.
The symposium was very well received by the patients. Not only did participants appreciate receiving more information about the research conducted with Transplantlines data, but they also valued the opportunity to connect with others and share experiences.
Transplantlines is certainly planning to organise such events more frequently in the future.
