title: Questionnaire-based evaluation of gastrointestinal disorders in de novo renal-transplant patients receiving either mycophenolate mofetil or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are one of the main adverse events in patients treated by mycophenolic acid (MPA). The aim of our prospective questionnaire-based study was to assess GI side-effects in de novo renal-transplant patients receiving either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2002 and April 2003, all patients receiving MPA with a functioning allograft at 1 month post-transplantation were enrolled in this study (n = 130). Ninety-three of them received MMF (group I), and 37 patients received EC-MPS (group II). Each month, every patient completed a questionnaire regarding GI disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the first year post-transplantation, GI disorders occurred in 31 patients from the MMF group (33.3%) and 12 patients from the EC-MPS group (32.4%) (not significant). The incidence of upper GI disorders was also similar in both groups. Diarrhoea was observed in 18 patients (19.3%) from group I, and in five patients from group II (13.5%) (not significant). Its frequency and severity were similar in both groups. Weight loss was observed in three patients receiving MMF. Diarrhoea resolved spontaneously in 10 patients from group I and in all patients from group II. For the other eight patients in group I, the diarrhoea required MMF discontinuation in three patients and dose reduction in five patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, in this questionnaire-based evaluation, the incidence of GI disorders was similar in patients receiving either MMF or EC-MPS during the first year post-transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, 1 avenue Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. nassim.kamar@free.fr
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamar
authors.forename: Loubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oufroukhi
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faure
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribes
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cointault
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lavayssiere
authors.forename: Marie Béatrice
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Nogier
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rostaing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid