title: Long-term renal allograft function.
abstract: Long-term function of transplanted kidneys was measured as 51Cr EDTA clearance (GFR). All kidneys transplanted in 1985 with preserved function after 6 months were again studied after 12, 24, 36, and 60 months. Grafts lost due to the patient's death were excluded. There was no significant GFR difference at 6 months between grafts with continued function (median 42 ml/min, range 15-79 ml/min; n = 69) and those that failed later (median 39 ml/min, range 20-87 ml/min; n = 18). Median GFR of surviving grafts remained stable, but individual variations included reductions by 5-49 ml in 29 patients and increases by 5-33 ml in 22 patients. Nine of the failing grafts showed a continuous but rarely linear decline, while eight had initially increased GFR. The long-term GFR changes were not statistically correlated with the dosage of cyclosporin at 6 months or with later dose reductions. In conclusion, renal transplant function may deteriorate in the long-term but can also improve.
authors.affiliation: Transplant Unit, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nyberg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nordén
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Svalander
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blohmé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000503:physiopathology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003404:Creatinine