Renal transplantation in patients with lupus nephritis: a single-center experience.
BACKGROUND
Few data are available about the long-term outcome of renal transplantation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
We retrospectively studied all lupus nephritis patients who received kidney allografts in our center between June 1989 and 2006. Patient and allograft outcomes were compared with those of 60 controls.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up after renal transplantation was 87 +/- 39 months for patients with lupus and 88 +/- 54 months for controls. Actuarial 10-year patient (83% vs 85%; P = .62) and death-censored graft survival rates (73% vs 69%; P = .36) were not significantly different between lupus patients and controls. Intravascular thrombotic events occurred in 4 patients with SLE (17.4%) and 3 controls (5%; P < .05). Recurrence of lupus nephritis was documented in 1 renal allograft (4.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term patient and graft survivals were similar in SLE and non-SLE renal transplant recipients. The risk for thrombotic complications was greater among SLE patients.
Ghafari
A
A
Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Unit, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Tabriz, Iran. ghaf_ali@yahoo.com
Etemadi
J
J
Ardalan
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000502:physiology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents