RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The goal when treating patients with end-stage renal disease is to increase patient survival and to provide a better quality of life, both of which can be achieved by kidney transplant. Identifying problems associated with kidney transplant is an essential step toward improved graft function. Here, we evaluated posttransplant erythrocytosis, a frequent complication among kidney transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center retro-spective study, we identified 1850 kidney transplant recipients who were transplanted at the Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center (Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt) from 1990 and 2013. From these patients, we identified 174 transplant recipients with posttransplant erythrocytosis and another 174 recipients without posttransplant erythrocytosis (control group). All recipients were evaluated retrospectively regarding incidence and risk factors for posttransplant erythrocytosis occurrence, graft function and survival, and patient survival. RESULTS: Both patient groups were comparable regarding age and sex (mean age of 32 years and higher percentage of male recipients in both groups). Degree of HLA class I and class II matching was not significantly different between groups. There were also no significant differences in immunosuppression protocols, although most patients were on steroid and cyclosporine therapy. Prevalence of acute and chronic rejection episodes was comparable between groups. Graft function was better in the posttransplant erythrocytosis group than in the control group, and higher patient survival was noted in patients with posttransplant erythrocytosis (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Posttransplant erythrocytosis was correlated with good graft function. In our study patients, those with posttransplant erythrocytosis had better graft and patient survival.
RESUMO
The newer and potent immunosuppressive agents have successfully reduced the risk of rejection after kidney transplantation, but the development of cardiovascular diseases, infections, and malignancy is major factors limiting their success. Posttransplantation malignancy is the second most common cause of death in renal transplant recipients after cardiovascular disease; it is expected that mortality due to malignancy may become the most common cause of death within the next two decades. This study is designed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and types of malignancies occurring after renal transplantation and their impact on patient and graft survival. A total of 2288 patients underwent living donor renal allotransplantation in the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, during the period between 1975 and 2011. Among these patients, 100 patients developed posttransplantation malignancy. Patients were categorized into five major groups according to their type of malignancy; Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), non-Kaposi's skin tumors (non-KS), posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD), solid tumors, and genitourinary and reproductive system (GU and RS). Overall, the incidence of cancer in renal transplant recipients was 4%. There were 83 male (83%) and 17 female patients (17%). The most frequent cancer was KS seen in 33 patients (33%). The lowest median time to development of cancer was observed in KS (35 months). The highest median time to development of cancer was observed in PTLD (133 months). The best graft survival was observed in PTLD and the worst in non-KS tumors. The best patient survival was observed in KS and the worst in GU and RS tumors. Azathioprine-based regimen was associated with a higher rate of cancer. The number of patients who died was 65 (65%). Our results indicate that the occurrence of malignancy has an important impact on short- and long-term graft and patient survival.
