title: Impact of cyclosporin on the incidence and prevalence of chronic rejection in renal transplants.
abstract: Over a 14-year period, 435 patients underwent renal transplantation. Chronic rejection has occurred in 58 (13%) of all grafts and has accounted for 18% of all graft losses. After the first 6 months following transplantation, chronic rejection was the most common cause of graft failure, accounting for 40% of losses. The median time (interquartile range) from transplantation to graft failure was 3 years (2-5.5 years). Comparison of azathioprine versus cyclosporin treated patients showed no significant difference in the incidence of graft loss (Cox regression score 2.55, P = 0.11). Furthermore, there were significantly more grafts with deteriorating function owing to chronic rejection in cyclosporin-treated patients (n = 16, 11% of surviving grafts) than in azathioprine-treated patients (n = 2, 3% of surviving grafts). These data suggest that cyclosporin does not prevent the development of chronic rejection in renal transplants.
authors.affiliation: Nottingham City Hospital.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Beckingham
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stubington
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinwood
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rigg
mesh_terms: D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine