The effect of cyclosporine with and without nifedipine on gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients.
OBJECTIVE
This investigation was performed to evaluate the effect of cyclosporine alone and in combination with nifedipine on gingival overgrowth.


METHODS
One hundred and nineteen patients who had undergone renal transplantation at least 12 months previously were selected for the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they had received cyclosporine alone (group 1, n = 98) or cyclosporine with nifedipine (group 2, n = 21). Periodontal and pharmacological characteristics were assessed for all patients.


RESULTS
Marked gingival overgrowth was seen in 11 (52%) of the patients in group 2 but just 6 (6%) of those in group 1. In addition, the gingival overgrowth index was significantly greater for patients who had received both nifedipine and cyclosporine (Mann-Whitney U-test, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between groups with higher and lower gingival overgrowth index in terms of age, sex, cyclosporine dose, nifedipine dose or level of cyclosporine in the serum.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of cyclosporine and nifedipine may increase the incidence as well as the severity of gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients. Among patients who had received both drugs, there was a clear relationship between gingival overgrowth and duration of cyclosporine and nifedipine use.
Khoori
Abdol Hamid
AH
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. dentinq@hotmail.com
Einollahi
Behzad
B
Ansari
Ghassem
G
Moozeh
Mohammad Bagher
MB
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009543:Nifedipine