SOPHOCLES study aims to contribute to better long-term cardiovascular health and improved quality of life.
Ten-year-old Thore (front, seated) is one of the first participants in the SOPHOCLES study. He came to the inclusion examination with his mother (right). The study team led by Professor Melk (centre) is looking forward to the trusting collaboration. Copyright: Angelika Zwick / MHH
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common and most serious complications after a kidney transplant in children. Stroke and heart attack can be the consequences, significantly reducing both the life expectancy and the quality of life of those affected. Blood pressure plays a central role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The international multicentre randomised study SOPHOCLES (StOPping Hypertension and imprOving Children's Lives after KidnEy TranSplantation) is addressing this issue. The researchers are investigating the extent to which intensified blood pressure control can contribute to improving cardiovascular health and organ function. SOPHOCLES is coordinated by the Clinic for Paediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases at Hannover Medical School (MHH). The study is scheduled to run for five years and will involve a total of 170 children and adolescents.
Close monitoring via telemedicine
‘Our aim is to sustainably improve healthcare and thus the quality of life of young people who have received transplants,’ says study director Professor Dr Dr Anette Melk. In the project, the participating children and adolescents are divided into two groups. In one group, the researchers carry out intensified blood pressure management. They aim to achieve blood pressure targets in the lower normal range. The other group will be treated according to current standards. All participants are closely monitored on the basis of blood pressure readings taken at home. A blood pressure monitor that can transmit all measurements directly and wirelessly is used for this purpose. This innovative use of telemedicine allows the treating physicians to monitor the blood pressure values of both groups in real time.
Important results for the treatment of high blood pressure
As part of the SOPHOCLES study, the structure of the heart is assessed and additional functional parameters are recorded. Other endpoints include the function of the transplanted kidney and vascular health parameters such as pulse wave velocity as a measure of vascular stiffness and the wall thickness of the carotid artery as a measure of atherosclerosis. ‘With these values, a comprehensive assessment of the long-term effects of blood pressure control on the heart, kidneys and blood vessels is possible,’ explains Professor Melk. The results of the study will make a significant contribution to the care of paediatric kidney transplant recipients. ‘For the first time, this study will provide evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents after kidney transplantation. This will enable us to protect cardiovascular health into adulthood,’ explains Professor Melk.
Project funded with 2.5 million euros
The large-scale funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) emphasises the relevance of this research project. 2.5 million has already been made available for the first three years. This ensures that this important study can be carried out successfully.
Transplantation medicine is one of the MHH's specialisms. In 2024, 15 children received a new kidney there.
Text: Tina Götting