Hyperlipidaemia in renal transplant patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of study was to assess the prevalence and severity of hyperlipidaemia in renal transplant patients in a Nordic country.


METHODS
Multicentre, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Outpatients and ward inpatients registered from 23 hospitals covering all regions of the country.


METHODS
Renal transplant patients with a functioning graft were registered: 406 patients in all; that is, 43% of the national renal transplant population. All patients used prednisolone, 71% used cyclosporine, either with (51%) or without (20%) azathioprine. Total cholesterol values from general population were obtained from a national survey.


METHODS
Blood lipids and their relation to clinical parameters.


RESULTS
Total cholesterol was significantly higher in transplant patients than in the general population for both genders and all age groups (P < 0.01). Female patients had higher total cholesterol (mean +/- SD: 7.49 +/- 1.61 mmol L(-1)) than males (7.01 +/- 1.55 mmol L(-1); P < 0.001), and also higher HDL cholesterol (1.55 +/- 0.43 vs. males: 1.32 +/- 0.46 mmol L(-1); P < 0.001). Triglycerides were equally elevated in both genders, and 33% had values above 2.2 mmol L(-1). Reduced creatinine clearance, a high body-mass index, female gender, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were independently associated with higher total cholesterol. Beta blockers were associated with lower HDL cholesterol and higher triglycerides, and diuretics with higher triglycerides. Blood lipid levels were not associated with cyclosporine immunosuppression.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperlipidaemia is prevalent after renal transplantation, and is associated with impaired graft function, hypertension, and with the use of beta blockers and diuretics, but not with the use of cyclosporine.
Aakhus
S
S
Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway.
Dahl
K
K
Widerøe
T E
TE
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012044:Regression Analysis
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone